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GLEANINGS 
FROM   CHINESE  FOLKLORE 


Gleanings 
From  Chinese  Folklore 


BY 

NELLIE  N.  RUSSELL 

With  Some  of  Her  Stories  of  Life  in   China,    to   which   are   added 
Memorial  Sketches  of  the  Author  from  Associates  and  Friends 


COMPILED    BY 

MARY  H.  PORTER 


NEW  YORK  CHICAGO  TORONTO 

Fleming  H.  Revell  Company 

LONDON  AND  EDINBUBGH 


Copyright,   1915, -by 
FLEMING  H.   REVELL  COMPANY 


New  York:  158  Fifth  Avenue 
Chicago:  125  N.  Wabash  Ave. 
Toronto:  25  Richmond  St.,  W. 
London:  21  Paternoster  Square 
Edinburgh:  100  Princes  Street 


To  Miss  Russell's  fellow-workers,  who  still 
have  the  joy  of  service  in  the  great  old-new 
land  which  she  loved;  and  who  tread  the  un- 
familiar ways  with  more  strength  and  courage, 
because  in  many  of  them  she  was  the  Path- 
finder, this  little  volume  is  affectionately  dedi- 
cated by 

M.  H.  P. 

LA  MESA,  CALIFORNIA, 
January, 


FOREWORD 

IT  was  in  the  autumn  of  1890  that  I  sat  one 
evening  looking  into  the  face  of  a  young 
woman  who  was  passing  through  Tung- 
chow  on  her  way  to  her  new  field  of  work  in 
Peking.  A  few  words  about  her  work  in  the 
past  explained  the  sadness  of  the  brown  eyes 
which  had  already  seen  many  life  tragedies  in 
her  five  years  of  city  mission  work,  but  their 
merry  sparkle  when  she  entered  into  the  happy 
flow  of  talk  about  her  showed  that  her  sym- 
pathies were  as  full  and  rich  for  joy  as  for  sor- 
row. Hers  was  one  of  those  rare  natures  in 
which  all  the  lives  about  them  are  relived. 
Such  lives  are  intense,  but  their  earth  span  is 
short. 

Before  many  years  Miss  Russell  knew  the 
life  histories  of  most  of  the  thousand  Chris- 
tians connected  with  the  Peking  Congrega- 
tional churches  and  outstations,  knew  them 
with  her  heart  as  well  as  her  head.  The  time- 
piece was  never  made  which  could  tell  her  that 
the  night  hours  were  passing  when  she  sat 
in  a  humble,  dirty  home  in  a  far-off  outstation 
beside  some  toil-worn,  heartsore  woman,  listen- 
ing to  the  details  of  the  sordid  daily  life,  and 
the  wrecked  hopes,  then  resurrecting  hope,  and 

[7] 


Foreword 

ennobling  life  by  linking  it  with  the  Divine  life. 
She  took  no  note  of  the  lapse  either  of  time  or 
strength  when,  in  her  city  home,  she  enter- 
tained guests  of  high  or  low  degree  with  equal 
courtesy  and  charm.  Hers  was  the  gift  of 
making  even  the  brief,  formal  call  an  oppor- 
tunity for  speaking  the  word  which  might  lead 
to  an  upward  look  or  an  outward  vision. 

The  Chinese  pastor  came  to  Miss  Russell 
with  his  problems,  also  the  child  with  her  new 
toy.  She  loved  flowers,  animals,  and  children, 
the  latter  with  the  passionate  love  of  a  mother- 
heart.  One  who  watched  her  taking  a  little 
dead  goldfish  out  of  the  water  said,  "  Don't 
keep  goldfish  any  more,  it  hurts  you  so  when 
they  die."  But  the  things  which  hurt  could 
no  more  be  put  outside  of  that  wide-embracing 
life  than  could  the  things  which  gave  a  thrill  of 
joy,  or  enraptured  her  with  a  sense  of  the  beau- 
tiful. 

The  tragedy  of  1900  brought  to  one  of  such 
wideness  and  depth  of  friendship  and  intimate 
knowledge  a  sorrow  whose  outward  tokens 
were  whitening  hair  and  a  physically  weak- 
ened constitution.  The  first  massacres  in  the 
country  brought  refugees  to  Peking,  to  whom 
she  ministered  day  and  night.  In  the  British 
Legation  she  went  to  the  hospital  to  nurse 
wounded  soldiers  when  she  needed  herself  to 
[8] 


Foreword 

be  carried  there  on  a  stretcher.  Naturally  sen- 
sitive not  only  to  pain  but  to  danger  and  to  all 
that  was  unsightly  or  repulsive,  her  sufferings 
during  those  two  months  cannot  be  measured. 
The  year  that  followed  was  a  drawn-out  agony, 
as  she  heard  the  stories  of  martyrdoms,  lis- 
tened with  tense  sympathy  to  the  tales  of  re- 
turned refugees,  gathered  orphans  and  wid- 
ows into  schools,  and  with  a  faith  that  never 
faltered  planned  to  build  up  the  waste  places. 
She  might  indeed  have  said,  with  Paul,  "  I  die 
daily." 

Miss  Russell  was  large  in  her  plans  as  well 
as  in  her  feelings.  The  past  could  not  chain 
her,  the  present  could  not  bind  her.  A  Bible 
school  for  women  rose  in  her  future,  and  after 
it  became  a  fact,  and  others  were  doing  most 
of  the  routine  work,  she  passed  on  to  work  into 
a  reality  dreams  of  a  school  for  women  of  the 
higher  classes,  with  lecture  courses,  mothers' 
clubs,  and  training  for  social  service,  a  work 
which  for  many  years  to  come  cannot  reach 
the  proportions  of  her  vision.  There  could  be 
no  more  fitting  memorial  for  Miss  Russell  than 
buildings  which  would  help  to  make  her  dreams 
come  true.  If  Mark  Hopkins,  one  student, 
and  a  log  made  a  college,  Miss  Russell,  a 
Chinese  woman,  and  a  tiny  Chinese  room  made 
a  Social  Settlement. 

[9] 


Foreword 

Miss  Russell  was  not  always  logical  and 
judicial.  Her  virtues  carried  their  dear  earthly 
defects  with  them.  From  those  who  disap- 
pointed her  hope  after  long  patience  of  love 
she  might  recoil  into  an  attitude  which  seemed 
like  prejudice.  Sometimes  she  walked  so  far 
with  others  into  the  Valley  of  Baca  that  no- 
strength  was  left  to  make  it  a  well. 

It  might  seem  that  the  outpouring  of  her 
life  was  too  lavish,  and  so  injudicious.  But 
who  knows  ?  The  impulse  which  went  upward 
in  prayer  and  outward  in  loving  service  had 
its  fruition  in  a  clearer  vision  of  the  earth  mis- 
sion of  the  Master,  a  vision  for  herself,  and 
a  vision  for  the  thousands  with  whom  she 
came  in  touch.  And  China  needs  nothing  more 
than  she  needs  this  vision. 

For  those  who  find  their  richest  fruition  in 
deeds  accomplished,  we  crave  the  threescore 
years  and  ten,  crowded  with  achievement. 
Those  whose  gifts  lie  in  loving  and  befriend- 
ing may  sooner  rest  from  their  labours,  for 
their  works  do  follow  them,  and  love  and 
friendship  are  deathless.  Those  of  us  in  Pe- 
king who  walk  where  Miss  Russell's  feet  have 
trod  still  see  the  spiritual  blossoming  of  that 
beautiful  life. 

LUELLA  MINER. 

[10] 


CONTENTS 

AN  APPRECIATION  OF  NELLIE  N.  RUSSELL    .  13 

By  Charles  Frederic  Goss,  her  pastor  in 

Chicago. 

NELLIE  N.  RUSSELL  (Historical)          .        .  16 

Miss  NELLIE  N.  RUSSELL'S  UNIQUE  WORK  .  31 

An  Appreciation — Mrs.  Chauncey  Good- 
rich. 

Miss  RUSSELL'S  FUNERAL  SERVICE       .        .  41 

A  TARTAR  JOAN  OF  ARC 47 

A  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  ORIENT        ...  52 

THE  WILD  GOOSE  AND  THE  SPARROW  .        .  56 

A  CHINESE  HERO 61 

Han  Hsin. 

A  CHINESE  TEA-HOUSE  STORY      ...  71 

Chi  Hsiao  Tang. 

THE  JADE  TREASURE 82 

CHINESE  HEROISM    .       .  ...  88 

LITERARY   GLORY 92 

HOW     THE     DOG     AND     CAT     CAME     TO     BE 

ENEMIES 98 

A  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  PRESENT      .       .        .  106 
T'ANG  SUNG'S  JOURNEY  TO  GET  THE  BUD- 
DHIST CLASSICS no 

A  STORY  OF  OLD  CHINA  .               ...  124 

NOTES 169 


AN  APPRECIATION  OF  NELLIE  N. 
RUSSELL 

By  CHARLES  FREDERIC  Goss, 
Her  Pastor  in  Chicago 

IT  is  common  enough  to  find  persons  en- 
dowed with  one,  two,  or  even  three  of 
those  four  great  elemental  qualities  out  of 
which  the  noblest  souls  are  made — an  inviolable 
conscience,  profound  intellect,  irresistible  will, 
and  illimitable  affections.  But  to  meet  a  man 
or  woman  having  all  is  as  moving  as  it  is 
uncommon.  Our  Nellie  Russell  had  all.  For 
four  years  she  was  an  inmate  of  our  home  and, 
during  all  her  remarkable  career  as  a  mission- 
ary in  China,  we  kept  in  the  closest  possible 
touch  with  her  and  her  work.  As  a  result 
of  this  intimate  acquaintance  we  learned  to 
look  upon  her  as  an  unique  and  even  wonder- 
ful woman.  Life  took  hold  of  her  with  tre- 
mendous power  and  so  did  she  of  life.  To  see 
all  things  clearly,  to  feel  her  solemn  respon- 
sibility to  every  soul  that  crossed  her  path,  to 
act  with  decision  and  determination  in  every 
emergency,  was  as  natural  for  her  as  to  breathe. 

[13] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

Her  great  dark  eyes  were  at  some  times  like 
deep  wells  at  the  bottom  of  which  truth  lay,  at 
others  like  stars  emitting  a  tender  light,  and 
at  others  like  hot  coals  flashing  fires  of  gener- 
ous and  righteous  wrath. 

Righteousness  never  went  unpraised  nor  un- 
righteousness unrebuked  or  unscourged  by 
Nellie  Russell.  She  loved  the  good  and  she 
hated  the  evil  of  life  with  equal  ardor.  Her 
sympathy  for  those  in  trouble  cost  her  a  sort 
of  agony,  her  love  for  her  friends  was  an  un- 
dying passion.  When  she  went  to  China  she 
took  its  great  people  into  her  very  heart.  All 
men,  women,  and  children  were  brothers  and 
sisters  to  her,  and  to  spend  and  be  spent  for 
them  was  a  spiritual  hunger. 

During  a  memorable  week  of  one  of  her  va- 
cations spent  in  our  summer  cottage  we  were 
made  to  marvel  at  her  insight  into  human 
nature  and  into  the  great  problems  of  life.  As 
we  listened  to  her  modest  story  of  her  experi- 
ence in  the  siege  of  Peking,  or  heard  her 
merry,  ringing  laugh  whenever  the  ludicrous 
elements  in  social  intercourse  or  surroundings 
appeared;  when,  in  our  little  motor-boat,  we 
saw  her  great  eyes  beam  with  delight  at  some 
fresh  form  of  nature's  loveliness  and  heard  her 
exclaim  with  irrepressible  enthusiasm  as  we 
floated  here  and  there  among  the  islands,  "  Oh, 

[14] 


An  Appreciation 


it  is  as  beautiful  as  the  Orient ! "  we  seemed 
to  be  in  contact  with  the  very  soul  of  the  uni- 
verse in  some  peculiar  manner. 

And  when  we  heard  of  her  death!  oh,  that 
was  hard  indeed!  Again  and  again  we  had 
written  her  that  there  was  a  room  in  our  home 
reserved  for  her  perpetual  use.  It  was  a  cher- 
ished hope  to  have  her  with  us  when  her  work 
was  done,  but  it  was  too  good  and  great  a  hope 
for  realization  here. 

If  this  seems  like  overpraise  to  you,  just  let 
it  go  at  that.  You  did  not  know  her,  or  you 
did  not  appreciate  her.  We  never  heard  her 
overpraised !  She  has  ever  been  and  ever  more 
must  be  a  pure,  inspiring  presence  in  our  lives. 


[15] 


NELLIE  N.  RUSSELL 
Historical 

THE  enduring  charm  of  a  rich  personal- 
ity is  ever  found  to  be  in  devotion  to  a 
chosen  cause.     Such  a  personality  is 
here  presented  in  a  brief  study  of  an  earnest 
life  of  effort  and  high  purpose. 

Nellie  Naomi  Russell  was  born  in  Onto- 
nagon,  Michigan,  March  31,  1862.  The  family 
removed  td  Wisconsin  when  she  was  very 
young,  and  there  her  father  died  when  she  was 
about  eight  years  of  age.  She  was  the  second 
of  four  children  whom  the  widowed  mother 
took  to  Vermont  to  live  with  one  of  their 
uncles.  He  also  was  soon  taken  away,  and  the 
family  removed  to  Ludlow,  in  that  state. 
Nellie,  however,  spent  much  of  her  time  at 
West  Rutland.  Here  she  united  with  the 
church,  and  attended  school,  until  her  mother's 
death  in  1877.  At  this  time  the  eldest  sister, 
Janet,  was  in  Michigan,  and  the  following 
spring  Nellie,  with  her  brother  William,  joined 
her  there,  while  the  younger  sister  remained 
with  their  guardian,  Dr.  D.  F.  Coolidge,  in 
Ludlow. 

[16] 


Historical 

Nellie  attended  school  in  Ontonagon,  but 
she  longed  to  return  to  New'  England.  Dr. 
Coolidge,  at  her  earnest  request,  advanced  the 
money  for  her  travelling  expenses  from  the 
funds  of  a  small  legacy  left  her  by  her  uncle, 
on  condition  that  it  should  be  returned  to  the 
fund  from  her  first  earnings. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year  1879,  Nellie,  al- 
though so  young,  taught  a  country  school, 
boarding  around  from  house  to  house,  as  was 
the  custom  at  that  time.  The  sum  advanced 
to  her  was  returned  from  her  first  earnings 
with  the  scrupulous  integrity  which,  through- 
out her  life,  marked  all  her  business  dealings. 
She  won  the  admiration  of  the  school  district 
by  her  industry  and  capacity  for  work  and 
service  both  in  school  and  out. 

At  the  close  of  the  session  she  went  to  North 
Bennington,  [Vermont,  where  she  spent  two 
years  in  the  family  of  Mrs.  Coolidge's  sister, 
Mrs.  H.  W.  Spafford. 

All  this  time  her  great  desire  had  been  to 
prepare  herself  for  missionary  service.  In 
order  that  she  might  get  the  education  requisite 
for  it  she  toiled  and  saved  until  she  was  able 
to  enter  Northfield  Seminary,  which  had  just 
been  founded  by  Mr.  D.  L.  Moody.  After  the 
first  year  she  was  given  a  scholarship.  With 
this  as  a  help  she  was  able  to  meet  all  other 

[17] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

expenses  by  what  she  earned  during  vacations. 
All  she  had  received  from  the  scholarship  she 
later  returned  to  the  institution  she  had  learned 
to  love.  At  Northfield  she  spent  four  years  in 
study  and  congenial  work.  During  the  last  two 
years  she  roomed  with  Lila  Peabody,  now  Mrs. 
Edward  F.  Cragin  of  Brooklyn,  New  York, 
with  whom  she  formed  a  friendship,  one  of  the 
most  intimate  and  strongest  of  her  life.  It 
is  to  this  friendship  that  we  are  indebted  for 
the  few  details  of  the  years  between  her  en- 
trance into  the  seminary  and  going  to  China. 
She  was  an  eager,  enthusiastic  student  and  was 
recognized  at  once  by  her  companions  as  a 
leader,  was  made  president  of  her  class,  and 
of  the  first  missionary  society  formed  among 
the  pupils  of  the  Northfield  Seminary. 

Mrs.  Cragin  says  of  her,  "  She  was  of  a 
deeply  spiritual  nature.  I  remember  her  tell- 
ing me  that  from  her  early  childhood  she  loved 
no  stories  so  well  as  those  of  foreign  mission- 
aries, and  that  she  hoped,  even  when  a  little 
girl,  that  some  day  she  might  become  one. 

One  June  morning,  just  before  graduation, 
Mr.  Moody  took  us  for  an  early  drive.  He 
told  us  of  a  plan  he  had  for  us  to  go  together  to 
Chicago,  to  be  pastor's  assistants  and  Sunday- 
school  workers  in  Mr.  Moody's,  the  Chicago 
Avenue  Church.  The  Rev.  Charles  F.  Goss 
[18] 


Historical 

was  the  pastor  at  that  time.  It  seemed  a  large 
undertaking  for  two  inexperienced  young 
women  to  go  from  the  little  village  of  North- 
field  to  the  great  city  of  Chicago,  and  to  engage 
in  such  a  work.  But  Mr.  Moody  felt  confident 
of  the  results  and  assured  us  that  we  could  do 
it,  and  so  we  made  the  venture. 

Our  experiences  the  first  winter  were 
strangely  new  and  varied.  We  worked  under 
Dr.  Goss's  directions,  calling  upon  church 
members  and  others  who  we  thought  might 
be  influenced  to  attend  the  services.  We  also 
visited  the  sick  and  helped  such  as  were  in  need 
in  the  neighbourhood. 

Our  Sunday-school  work  was  among  the 
very  poor,  and  in  localities  where  we  went  with 
not  a  little  trepidation.  Our  custom  was  to 
select  a  street  and  to  call  from  house  to  house, 
from  family  to  family.  We  asked  the  children 
of  those  visited  to  come  to  the  Sunday-school, 
and  gave  them  cards  telling  them  when  and 
where  to  go.  In  many  cases  the  parents  could 
not  understand  English,  but,  as  the  children 
practically  lived  on  the  streets  and  so  picked 
up  its  language,  they  understood  us  when  we 
asked  them  to  come  and  to  bring  others  with 
them.  In  this  way  we  gathered  the  children 
into  Sunday-school,  the  boys  into  Miss  Rus- 
sell's class  and  the  girls  into  mine.  Miss  Rus- 

[19] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

sell  soon  had  a  class  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
or  more  boys.  In  connection  with  this  there 
were  organized  evening  classes.  The  help  of 
young  men,  who  taught  the  boys  carpentry  and 
other  kinds  of  manual  work,  was  secured,  and 
they  were  encouraged  to  seek  other  vocations 
than  those  of  newspaper  venders  and  boot- 
blacks. Some  showed  unusual  talent,  but  had 
no  opportunity  for  study  or  advancement. 
Miss  Russell  wrote  to  Mr.  Moody  with  regard 
to  them  and  asked  if  an  arrangement  could  be 
made  by  which  the  most  promising  could  be 
admitted  to  Mt.  Hermon.  He  gladly  entered 
into  the  plan  and  carried  out  her  wishes.  A 
number  of  these  boys  thus  entered  Mt.  Hermon 
school  and  afterward  took  college  courses. 
They  were  accompanied  all  the  way  upward 
by  the  sympathy,  advice,  and  assistance  of 
Miss  Russell.  She  kept  in  touch  with  many  of 
them  all  her  life,  corresponding  with  them  after 
going  to  China,  and  hunting  them  up  during 
her  furloughs  in  this  country. 

Miss  Russell's  great  characteristics  were,  I 
think,  the  giving  of  herself  unsparingly  for 
others,  and  doing  this  with  sympathy,  tender- 
ness, and  love.  One  incident,  among  many 
which  I  recall,  strikingly  illustrates  this.  Dur- 
ing the  anarchist  riots  in  Chicago,  when  even 
men  did  not  dare  go  into  the  disturbed  neigh- 

[20] 


Historical 

bourhood,  Miss  Russell  went  without  fear,  and 
without  protection,  to  the  anarchist  headquar- 
ters to  comfort  the  little  old  mother  of  one  of 
the  condemned  men. 

After  five  years  of  earnest,  successful  work 
in  Chicago,  Miss  Russell,  well  fitted  by  such 
training,  felt  that  the  time  had  come  for  her 
to  go  to  the  distant  field,  which  she  always  had 
kept  in  view.  The  way  was  opened  for  her  to 
enter  the  work  in  China  under  the  Woman's 
Board  of  the  Interior  in  connection  with  the 
American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  She 
accepted  the  opportunity  as  the  fruition  of  the 
hope  and  desire  of  childhood,  girlhood,  and 
young  womanhood,  and  in  twenty-one  years 
of  devoted  service  made  "  good  proof  of  her 
ministry." 

The  record  of  the  rare  life  of  Miss  Russell 
is  in  the  hearts  of  many  to  whom  she  was  very 
dear.  It  is  suggestive  of  some  of  her  loveliest 
qualities  that  it  has  been  difficult  to  secure 
anything  beyond  the  bare  historical  facts  with 
regard  to  her  early  years. 

The  brief  outline,  given  by  the  only  sister 
who  survives  her,  Mrs.  J.  R.  Branaman,  and 
a  lifelong  friend,  Mrs.  D.  F.  Coolidge  of  Lud- 
low,  Vermont,  show  how  heavy  were  the  bur- 
dens of  her  youth  and  explain,  in  a  measure, 
her  peculiar  and  yearning  sympathy  for  toilers 

[21] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

struggling  under  difficulties  for  an  entrance 
into  a  larger  intellectual  and  social  life;  for 
widowed  mothers,  caring  for  groups  of  chil- 
dren, and  for  young  students  making  their 
way  with  little  aid  through  courses  of  study. 
Of  her  own  early  experiences  she  rarely  spoke. 
In  years  of  close  companionship  I  learned  little 
of  them  beyond  the  ever-recurring  suggestion 
of  her  rich  inheritance  from  a  father  of  deep 
religious  faith  and  a  mother  brave  and  tender, 
with  the  highest  standards  of  duty.  These  so 
impressed  her  daughter  that,  in  incidental 
ways,  they  were  often  implied  in  the  reasons 
given  for  her  choice  of  lines  of  conduct. 

Her  warmth  of  affection  for  her  own  was 
apparent  in  every  mention  of  them,  and  know- 
ing this,  one  can  realize  what  separation  from 
them,  even  in  childhood,  meant  to  her.  She 
truly  "  Bore  the  yoke  in  her  youth "  and 
learned  to  carry  it  so  buoyantly,  and  walk  under 
it  with  such  elasticity  of  spirit,  that  one's  mem- 
ory of  her  is  always  that  of  largeness  and  joy 
rather  than  of  mere  patience  or  resignation. 
She  knew  better  than  most  of  God's  children 
how  to  delight  in  all  the  beautiful  things  her 
Heavenly  Father  had  placed  in  the  earthly  en- 
vironment, and  it  was  not  until  disease  and 
sorrow  had  wasted  her  reserves  of  strength 
that  she  began  to  speak  often  of  the  life  be- 

[22] 


Historical 

yond.  To  that  she  looked  and  for  it  she 
longed,  not  as  rest  from  service  but  as  larger 
opportunity  and  wider  vision.  The  springs  of 
her  life  deepened  as  the  physical  resources  were 
depleted,  and  we  who  were  much  with  her 
during  the  last  years  often  realized  that  she 
drank  from  celestial  fountains  and  in  weakness 
found  courage  and  power  among  the  Hills  of 
God.  In  the  long  night  watches  when  pain 
was  her  companion,  and  the  burdens  of  those 
about  her  who  claimed  her  never-failing  sym- 
pathy pressed  heavily  upon  her  loving  spirit, 
she  would  often  light  the  candle  at  the  head  of 
her  bed  and  read  from  some  author  of  insight 
a  poem  or  other  glowing  page,  ponder  it  for 
relief,  and  bring  to  us  at  the  breakfast  table  the 
result  of  her  thought  upon  it,  in  a  radiant  face 
and  a  gentle  aloofness  from  everything  petty 
and  trivial,  which  banished  mere  gossip  or 
small  talk  and  sent  us  refreshed  to  our  tasks. 
She,  worn  with  sleeplessness  and  anxiety,  was 
yet  the  inspirer  and  comforter,  and  all  with  a 
self-effacing  sweetness  which  sought  no  recog- 
nition of  what  she  gave!  Indeed,  in  her  quiet 
dignity,  she  made  any  allusion  to,  or  expressed 
gratitude  for,  such  obligation  difficult. 

So  it  was  with  her  intercourse  with  the 
Chinese.  She  came  from  interviews  with  in- 
dividuals or  groups  of  women  with  the  most 

[23] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

delightful  stories  of  those  she  had  met.  There 
were  almost  always  among  them  "  Such  a 
charming "  or  "  Such  a  bright  and  lovely 
lady."  She  set  their  striking  characteristics 
before  us  in  racy,  sympathetic  stories  to  which 
we,  in  the  Ladies'  Home,  listened  with  delight, 
and  went  from  the  recital  to  our  routine  duties 
with  a  sense  of  having  been  introduced  to  a 
fresh  circle  of  attractive  friends  from  day  to 
day.  But  of  herself  and  what  she  had  done 
for  them,  rarely  a  word!  She  who  gave  her- 
self so  lavishly,  who  had  by  her  wonderful  tact 
and  charm  won  from  each  their  best,  had  noth- 
ing to  tell  of  how  she  had  come  to  learn  so 
much  of  these  strangers.  One  of  her  sentences 
was  rarely  introduced  by  "  I  said  "  or  "  I  told 
her."  Yet  we,  who  sometimes  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  inner  life,  knew  that  she  made  a  con- 
stant study  of  methods  of  approach  and  went 
with  prayerful  preparation  to  meet  the  various 
calls. 

She,  more  than  any  other  missionary  whom 
I  have  known,  held  herself  conscientiously  free 
from  the  restrictions  of  fixed  hours  and  a 
teaching  schedule,  that  she  might  be  at  liberty 
for  large  social  and  individual  service.  It 
was  her  aim  to  come  into  intimate  touch  with 
many  and  to  order  her  days  so  that  she  might 
be  ready  to  respond  to  every  call  which  came. 

[24] 


Historical 

In  this,  as  in  everything  to  which  she  really 
set  herself,  she  was  singularly  successful. 

It  was  beautiful  to  see  her  welcome  a  group 
of  curious  visitors  and  make  them  feel  that 
their  interests  were  hers  and,  for  the  time,  the 
thing  of  most  importance.  In  a  little  while 
she  knew  something  of  their  personal  history 
and,  before  most  hostesses  could  have  gotten 
beyond  the  merest  conventionalities,  she  was 
touching,  tenderly,  the  sore  spot  in  some  life, 
with  words  of  help  and  healing. 

From  the  very  beginning  of  her  life  in  China 
Miss  Russell  realized  the  importance  of  the 
country  work.  For  years  she  spent  more  than 
half  her  time  in  the  outstations  connected  with 
the  Peking  church  as  a  centre.  This  work  in- 
volved long  and  trying  journeys  and  great 
physical  fatigue.  On  these  trips  she  estab- 
lished herself  whenever  practicable  in  a  room 
or  rooms  of  which  she  could  have  control. 
Here  she  could  receive  guests  and  give,  by  the 
attractiveness  of  her  surroundings,  object  les- 
sons in  home-making.  To  any  who  desired  to 
follow  her  example  she  gave  advice  and  help 
so  unobtrusively  that  it  never  seemed  like  criti- 
cism or  an  assumption  of  being  wiser  or  better 
than  they,  but  just  ordinary  neighbourliness. 
She  knew  so  well  that  "  It  is  more  blessed," 
and  also  more  comfortable,  "  to  give  than  to 

[25] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

receive,"  that  in  the  happiest  ways  she  made 
herself  debtor  to  those  about  her.  She  learned 
from  the  Christian  women  many  Chinese 
household  arts  and  liked  to  show  her  mission- 
ary associates  of  less  dexterity  that  she  could 
feed  a  fire  under  a  native  kettle  with  as  little 
waste  of  fuel  and  as  large  result  in  the  boiling 
of  porridge  as  those  to  the  manner  born. 

The  stories  published  in  this  volume  were 
gathered  in  long  evenings  when  she  wanted  re- 
lief from  the  constant  giving  out  from  mind 
and  heart,  and  were  sought  also  that  those  who 
had  treasured  them  in  memory  might,  by  im- 
parting, feel  themselves  her  aids  and  instruct- 
ors. In  those  days  the  kerosene  lamp  was  a 
luxury  almost  unknown  outside  the  large  cities ; 
never  seen  anywhere  in  the  homes  of  the  poor. 
Even  foreign  candles  gave  so  much  clearer 
light  than  the  smoky  open  lamps,  filled  with  the 
native  bean  or  cottonseed  oil,  that  her  room 
seemed  brilliantly  illuminated  even  though  she 
had  only  a  tiny  lamp  or  a  candle  on  its  table. 
It  was  sure  to  be  daintily  clean,  for,  whatever 
her  surroundings,  she  was  a  lady  always  and 
everywhere  and  tidiness  was  a  part  of  herself. 
So  was  her  love  of  beauty,  and  one  can  never 
think  of  her  without  some  flower  or  picture  to 
attract  the  eye  and  give  a  touch  of  brightness 
to  the  room  in  which  she  sat.  On  these  coun- 
[26] 


Historical 

try  trips  she  wore  the  native  dress  and  her 
dark  eyes  and  hair  made  her  seem  more  at 
home  in  it  than  many  Western  women.  She 
was  careful  so  to  select  and  combine  colours  as 
to  be  attractive  to  Chinese  tastes.  As  she  had 
advisers  on  every  hand,  in  this  also  she  seized 
her  opportunity  to  rely  upon  them,  and  let 
them  feel  their  importance  to  her  as  coun- 
sellors. 

As  I  have  read  over  the  tales  I  could  well 
imagine  the  scene  in  her  little  temporary  home ; 
the  small  room  with  its  brick  kang — the  brick 
platform — on  which  her  folded  bedding  was 
piled;  her  books  on  the  table,  and  her  guest  or 
guests  in  the  seats  of  comfort,  if  such  there 
were,  certainly  in  the  seats  of  honour,  for  in 
all  such  matters  of  Chinese  etiquette  she  was 
punctilious;  she,  sitting  with  eager  attention, 
listening  to  the  one  who  told  the  story  as  it 
had  been  handed  down  in  the  home  or  the  vil- 
lage for  generations.  Perhaps  she  had  been  off 
for  a  long  drive  over  bad  roads  during  the  day, 
had  spoken  to  a  restless  crowd  in  a  court,  or 
by  the  roadside  to  a  group  of  women  gathered 
on  the  river  bank,  each  with  her  bundle  of 
clothes  to  be  washed  on  the  stones  in  the  flow- 
ing stream.  She  was  very  weary  and  how 
tempting  a  quiet  evening  by  herself,  or  with 
only  her  dear  Bible  woman  helper  as  com- 

[27] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

panion,  must  have  seemed,  but  she  had  the  en- 
gagement with  this  teacher  or  that  Christian 
brother  to  listen  to  his  tale.  She  asked  many 
questions  as  he  went  on  and  her  pencil  jotted 
down  names  and  a  point  here  and  there,  that 
when  he  was  gone  she  might  write  out  a  skele- 
ton, with  the  hope  of  using  the  material  some 
time  to  help  friends  in  America  to  a  better  un- 
derstanding of  these  neighbours  of  ours  on  the 
other  side  of  "  The  Great  Eastern  Sea  "  for 
"  Eastern  "  the  Pacific  is  to  China  and  so  her 
people  name  it. 

These  manuscripts  she  had  put  into  shape 
roughly  in  summer  vacation  days  and  so  we 
found  them  after  she  had  gone. 

It  had  been  her  cherished  plan  to  edit  them 
carefully,  add  to  them  other  stories  of  Chinese 
life  as  she  had  seen  it,  and  make  a  volume 
which  should  be  the  contribution  of  her  leisure, 
after  retirement  from  active  work,  to  the  new 
understanding  of  the  people  whom  she  loved 
by  those  of  her  own  land. 

She  had  come  to  realize,  as  the  later  years 
brought  increased  physical  suffering,  that  the 
time  might  be  short  and  said  many  times  in  the 
last  few  months,  "  I  must  get  my  stories  to- 
gether on  my  next  furlough,  whether  I  come 
back  to  China  or  not." 

The  furlough  never  came,  but  instead,  the 
[28] 


Historical 

call  to  "  Come  up  higher."  During  the  brief 
final  illness  she  seemed  to  have  no  thought  that 
it  might  be  the  end.  There  were  no  farewells, 
no  last  expressions  of  a  wish  that  this  or  that 
should  be  done,  before  she  passed  into  the  un- 
consciousness from  which  she  never  wakened 
here.  Her  friends,  knowing  the  purpose  and 
desire  of  the  years,  have  felt  the  fulfilling  of 
it  by  the  issue  of  this  little  volume,  a  sacred 
trust.  The  first  thought  was  to  do  the  editing 
which  she  planned,  but  every  attempt  seemed 
to  take  from  the  stories  that  which  made  them 
hers.  Characteristic  phrases  and  little  turns  of 
expression  were  her  very  own.  The  pages 
have,  therefore,  been  left  with  only  such  altera- 
tions as  were  necessary  to  complete  sentences 
or  make  meaning  clear,  with  no  attempt  at  such 
improvement  of  literary  style  as  she  herself 
would  have  given  them. 

They  are  issued  for  the  sake  of  the  many 
who  loved  her  and  who  will  prize  them  as  com- 
ing from  her  hands,  and  as  representing  one 
of  the  activities  of  her  many-sided  life.  As  the 
expense  of  publication  is  borne  by  friends, 
whatever  money  returns  come  from  their  sale 
will  go  directly  to  the  work  to  which  Miss  Rus- 
sell gave  her  latest  strength,  "  The  Hall  of 
Enlightenment,"  or  Ming  Lung  Tang  in  Pe- 
king, which  is  a  growing  social  centre  and  the 

[29] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

point  from  which  radiate  lines  of  influence 
which  touch  the  lives  of  the  women  of  that 
city  in  a  variety  of  ways.  She  was  its  origina- 
tor and  her  memory  is  still  its  inspiration. 

Mrs.  Goodrich's  appreciation,  on  page  31, 
gives  the  story  of  these  later  years  and  presents 
forcibly  many  of  the  especially  striking  char- 
acteristics of  Miss  Russell.  To  this  has  been 
added  Mrs.  Ament's  account  of  the  funeral 
services  in  Peking.  Miss  Russell  died  at  the 
summer  resting-place,  Pei  Tai  Ho ;  from  thence 
the  casket  was  taken  by  rail  to  the  city,  an 
eight-hour  journey.  The  desire  of  the  women, 
that  the  monument  at  her  grave  should  have  a 
Chinese  as  well  as  English  inscription,  has  been 
carried  out.  Every  spring  a  company  of  those 
who  loved  her,  and  looked  upon  her  as  their 
leader,  meet  at  her  grave  to  sing  Christian 
hymns,  place  flowers  upon  the  mound,  and  re- 
call the  beautiful  life  from  which  they  learned 
how  full  of  fruit  fulness  and  blessing  fifty  years 
of  Christian  discipleship  could  be  made. 


[30] 


MISS  NELLIE  N.  RUSSELL'S  UNIQUE 
WORK 

By  MRS.  CHAUNCEY  GOODRICH 
An  Appreciation 

THE  twenty-second  day  of  August  the 
cable  flashed  across  the  Pacific  the  news 
that  Miss  Nellie  N.  Russell  of  Peking 
had  succumbed  to  illness  and  was  no  more. 

Those  who  had  not  known  Miss  Russell  in- 
timately can  little  guess  the  grief  that  came  to 
every  heart  which  knew  her  in  China,  whether 
belonging  to  the  missionary  body,  American  or 
British,  the  Legation  circles  of  these  countries, 
or  the  countless  hundreds  of  Chinese  who  had 
felt  the  beautiful  uplift  of  her  personality. 
While  at  school  at  Northfield,  DwightL.  Moody 
came  to  know  her,  and  this  reader  of  men  at 
once  saw  her  rarely  winsome  gifts.  I,  who 
have  known  and  loved  her  for  these  twenty-one 
years,  would  like  to  write  of  her  life  in  China, 
hoping  perchance  that  some  whiff  of  that  beau- 
tiful fragrance  may  enter  the  hearts  of  those 
who  read  and  make  them  more  beautiful  for 
God. 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

It  was  in  1890  Miss  Russell  came  to  Peking. 
One  never  could  think  of  her  as  being  a 
bachelor  maid,  she  was  so  womanly.  How 
we  revelled  in  her  pretty  clothes,  so  dainty  and 
becoming — so  fit.  The  home-making  instinct 
was  so  strong  that  she  was  not  content,  as 
others  had  been,  to  live  in  the  families  of  mar- 
ried missionaries,  but  just  as  soon  as  possible 
secured  a  house,  that  she  might  have  a  home. 
It  was  simplicity  itself,  but  every  nook  and 
corner  breathed  the  woman, — home-maker, — 
and  it  was  always  open  to  her  friends,  Chinese 
and  Western. 

Very  early  in  her  missionary  life  she  felt  the 
call  of  the  country  village  work.  Dressed  most 
carefully  in  Chinese  garments,  for  many  years 
she  spent  months  at  a  time  away  from  Peking, 
living  at  some  branch  station,  making  trips  to 
nearby  villages,  holding  classes  for  women  or 
visiting  them  in  their  homes.  She  purchased 
a  cart  and  mule,  and  with  a  young  serving- 
man  from  the  better  class  who  respected  her 
every  whim,  consenting  to  be  carter,  cook,  pro- 
tector, whatever  Miss  Russell  wished,  she  went 
everywhere. 

And  how  wonderfully  she  entered  into  every 

one's  life,  whether  of  the  evangelist,  his  wife, 

the  Christian  school  teacher,  the  wife  of  the 

richest  man  in  the  region  roundabout,  the  old 

[32] 


Miss  Russell's  Unique  Work 

lady  tottering  to  her  grave,  or  the  young 
daughter-in-law,  the  bride,  or  the  little  mis- 
chievous boy.  "  With  heart  at  leisure  from 
itself,"  she  drew  out  from  each  one  his 
story.  She  never  went  in  the  spirit,  "  Now-I- 
am  -  holier,-more-civilized-than-thou,-theref  ore- 
hear-ye-me,"  but  rather  in  the  spirit  of  one 
who  sought  to  find  out  the  interest  or  the  hun- 
ger of  each  one's  life,  and  so  somehow  bring 
it  in  touch  with  the  Lover  of  all.  Such  dis- 
coveries as  she  made  of  possibilities  in  the  lives 
of  this  one  and  that ! 

On  returning  to  Peking  for  work  in  the 
city,  she  again  wore  the  European  dress. 
There  was  something  in  her  nature  that  com- 
pelled her  to  have  things  suitable  if  possible, 
and  she  at  once  felt  the  dress  that  other  for- 
eigners wore  would  meet  with  greater  accept- 
ance in  Peking. 

When  the  Boxer  storm  began  to  gather,  be- 
ing so  much  in  the  country  in  the  winter  of 
1899  and  1900,  she  saw,  as  few  did,  the  black- 
ening clouds.  The  persecution  of  each  Christian 
took  a  mighty  hold  on  her  sympathetic  heart. 
Ah!  no  one  who  was  out  of  China  can  ever 
realize  the  strain  of  the  months  preceding  that 
awful  cataclysm,  the  agony  of  those  months  in 
the  siege  itself,  not  because  of  self,  but  because 
of  missionary  friends,  and  because  of  the  chil- 

[33] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

dren  begotten  of  the  Lord,  who  were  out  un- 
sheltered in  the  fury  of  that  wild  and  awful 
storm. 

At  its  dose,  with  no  reserve,  Miss  Russell 
poured  out  her  love  and  sympathy  on  the  one 
hand,  and  on  the  other  sought  to  regather  the 
church  in  city  and  country,  and  to  find  work  and 
help  for  men,  women,  and  children.  The  situ- 
ation was  all  abnormal,  and  Satan  slew  many 
with  the  poisoned  darts  of  revenge  and  greed, 
whom  he  could  not  slay  otherwise.  Oh!  but 
these  things  almost  broke  her  tender  heart. 
Her  hair  grew  grey  and  the  power  to  resist  dis- 
ease and  overweariness  lessened,  yet  the  spirit 
of  our  friend  rallied,  and  she  entered  into  the 
joy  of  the  Conquering  Christ. 

When  she  saw  that  she  could  not  take  as 
long  country  trips  and  endure  the  same  fatigue 
as  formerly,  she  set  all  her  energies  to  work  in 
bringing  the  Bible  school  for  training  women 
workers  into  being,  and  in  reaching  city  women. 
This  did  not  mean  giving  up  her  country  work, 
only  less  prolonged  visits. 

Following  the  sudden  but  prolonged  sick- 
ness and  the  death  of  Dr.  Ament,  no  one  knew 
as  did  Miss  Russell  the  work  of  the  pastors, 
evangelists,  teachers,  and  chapel-keepers,  in 
the  city  and  in  the  large  country  field,  which 
reached  into  a  few  walled  cities  and  many 
[34] 


Miss  Russell's  Unique  Work 

market  towns  and  villages.  It  was  she  who 
gave  her  days  and  nights  for  many  weeks,  and 
even  months,  to  helping  Dr.  Charles  Young, 
the  only  gentleman  then  in  the  Peking  station, 
settle  and  rearrange  the  work.  More  than  once 
the  midnight  hour  found  her  still  in  conference 
with  Chinese  workers,  strengthening  those  who 
were  strong,  exhorting  the  weak,  and  in  some 
cases  reporting  and  removing  those  who  were 
proving  inefficient,  and  even  unworthy  of  their 
trust. 

The  pastor  of  the  North  Congregational 
Church,  after  the  Hague  Conference,  invited  a 
Chinese  friend  who  had  been  on  the  commis- 
sion to  come  to  the  church  and  tell  about  the 
meetings.  This  meeting  he  advertised  widely, 
and  it  was  enthusiastically  attended  by  many 
non-Christians.  Miss  Russell,  seeing  the  op- 
portunity, began  both  at  this  and  the  First 
Church  to  have  simple  lectures  for  women  on 
the  great  Fair  days,  three  times  a  month. 

These  lectures  were  given  sometimes  by 
Chinese,  sometimes  by  Westerners,  and  cov- 
ered every  kind  of  subject.  She  invited  noted 
ladies  to  come  and  address  these  meetings.  In 
this  way  she  and  her  associates  made  hundreds 
of  friends  among  women  of  every  rank  in  so- 
ciety. Her  associates  helped  receive  and  enter- 
tain, sometimes  for  hours  afterward,  the  many 

[35] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

guests  who  came,  showing  school,  kindergarten, 
museums,  etc. 

With  rare  tact  Miss  Russell  showed  her  ap- 
preciation of  all  things  in  Chinese  life  that 
were  really  beautiful.  She  read  the  papers, 
learned  the  newest  phrases,  found  out  what 
Chinese  women  loved,  the  motive  of  their  acts, 
and,  best  of  all,  helped  every  one  to  be  her  best. 

How  they  confided  in  her!  The  wealthy, 
aristocratic  sisters,  whose  brother,  drawn  away 
by  the  skilful  efforts  of  some  European  gam- 
bler, was  gradually  losing  all  their  property; 
the  ardent  Confucian  lady  teacher,  who  was 
using  her  property  for  the  establishment  of  a 
school  for  girls,  and  who  so  longed  to  bring  to 
Chinese  and  Manchu  women  the  teaching  of 
Confucius  to  make  them  forceful  in  their  lives ; 
the  high  official's  wife,  who  would  learn  from 
her  how  best  to  work  to  banish  polygamy ;  the 
princess  who  in  Mongolia  would  establish  a 
school  for  Mongol  girls ;  or  the  wives  and  sis- 
ters of  high  officials  who  would  open  schools 
or  work  against  the  evils  of  the  cigarette  or  of 
opium.  Chinese  youth  and  Chinese  women  are 
in  that  sensitive  state — the  state  of  real  life  and 
growth — when  they  long  to  originate  and  exe- 
cute for  themselves.  It  is  the  sign  of  independ- 
ence, and  while  it  leads  to  mistakes,  in  the  end 
it  will  lead  to  more  vigorous  thinking  and  ac- 
[36] 


Miss  Russell's  Unique  Work 

tion.  No  one  unassociated  with  Miss  Russell 
can  understand  the  tactful  way  in  which  she 
made  suggestions. 

This  past  winter  (1911)  Miss  Russell  and 
Mrs.  Ament  opened  rooms  in  a  court  directly 
opening  from  a  gate  on  the  main  street,  where 
they  received  their  lady  guests,  held  classes 
and  small  lectures,  etc.  Nowhere  in  Peking 
was  there  a  daintier,  prettier  reception-room. 
It  was  a  joy  of  every  Chinese  heart.  There 
were  always  flowers,  the  flowers  they  loved, 
and  tea  served  in  the  daintiest  manner.  The 
Chinese,  in  the  desire  to  be  "  enlightened  "  and 
like  Europeans,  which  has  temporarily  seized 
them,  have  too  often  banished  their  beautiful 
furniture  from  their  reception-rooms,  substitut- 
ing an  inferior  European  article.  In  this  room 
there  was  a  beautiful  blending  of  European 
and  Chinese  furnishings,  with  Chinese  largely 
predominating. 

Some  of  the  ladies,  when  they  found  they 
would  be  free  to  have  meetings  here,  said,  "  So 
often  we  want  to  meet  together,  we  who  are  in- 
terested in  the  progress  of  our  women,  and  plan 
and  talk  over  matters.  It  is  not  easy.  We 
come  from  different  ranks  in  society.  We  are 
not  free  to  open  our  homes,  as  we  do  not  control 
them,  but  we  are  so  grateful  that  we  may  come 
here.  You  do  not  laugh  at  us.  We  are  new 

[37] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

to  all  this  and  we  know  are  often  bungling." 
Another  said,  and  she  a  lady  of  high  rank 
and  highest  breeding,  "  One  thing  I  have  dis- 
covered. If  ever  Miss  Russell  encourages  any 
movement  for  our  betterment,  I  am  always  sure 
I  can  indorse  it.  Some  of  the  suggestions  of 
the  Chinese  ladies  I  cannot  favour,  but  Miss 
Russell  is  so  wise,  so  careful,  so  good  a  friend 
of  the  Chinese,  I  can  always  trust  her." 

Our  friend,  not  content  in  keeping  this  means 
— the  lecture  and  class  courses — of  reaching 
women  confined  to  our  Mission,  one  day  a  year 
ago  invited  the  representatives  of  all  the  Mis- 
sions in  Peking  to  her  study.  There  she  un- 
folded a  plan  by  which  these  might  be  repeated 
in  every  Mission  and  each  of  its  centres  of  work 
in  the  city.  This  eventuated  in  a  plan  for  fifty 
lectures,  often  a  missionary  and  a  Chinese  lady 
speaking  on  the  same  subject,  and  thus  rein- 
forcing each  other. 

Seeing,  too,  the  great  result  following  the 
union  evangelistic  meetings  for  men  during 
fairs  held  in  the  spring  and  early  summer  at 
the  temples,  her  fertile  brain  conceived  a  plan 
for  a  union  effort  on  the  part  of  all  the  various 
Christian  workers  for  women.  Tents  were 
erected,  seats  rented,  tea  served,  and  there  large 
and  small  groups  of  women  heard  the  Gospel 
message  for  the  first  time.  The  result  has  been 

[38] 


Miss  Russell's  Unique  Work 

that  several  of  the  Missions  have  opened  new 
centres  of  work  in  the  city,  near  city  gates,  or 
in  the  suburbs. 

The  tireless  brain  is  still — the  living  heart  has 
ceased  its  beating.  The  loss  to  our  work  in 
Peking  only  those  who  knew  and  saw  what  she 
was  able  to  do  and  to  inspire  done  can  fathom. 
Miss  Russell  always  carried  with  her  the  dig- 
nity of  her  womanhood,  yet  with  never  a  sense 
of  independence.  She  sought  the  help  of  men 
and  in  some  way  drew  out  all  their  manhood 
and  chivalry  by  her  belief  and  trust  in  it.  Her 
nature  never  was  distorted  by  her  work,  but 
her  power  to  love  and  enter  into  others'  lives 
increased  with  every  passing  year. 

Her  love  for  little  children — the  new-born 
babe,  the  toddling  child,  the  merry  boy  or  girl, 
was  peculiarly  reverent  and  beautiful.  Her 
face  often  expressed  an  abandonment  of  joy  as 
she  watched  the  children  play,  or  laughed  at 
their  wise  and  witty  sayings.  She  took  time 
for  friendships,  of  which  she  had  a  few  very 
close  and  dear.  She  never  failed  a  friend  in 
time  of  need. 

She  loved,  too,  the  social  life,  being  always 
most  punctilious  about  her  calls  at  the  Lega- 
tions and  Customs,  and  on  her  Chinese  friends 
of  official  families.  She  went  not  from  a  sense 
of  duty,  but  from  real  pleasure.  She  heartily 

[39] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

enjoyed  intercourse  with  the  cultured  ladies  and 
gentlemen  of  these  circles  and  was  often  able 
to  bring  them  into  touch  with  her  Manchu  and 
Chinese  friends  with  real  advantage  to  both 
sides. 

"  And  was  she  perfect  ?  "  you  ask.  Ah,  no ! 
She  had  her  strong  likes  and  dislikes.  She  had 
her  battles  to  fight,  but  each  year,  as  her 
thoughts  dwelt  more  and  more  upon  the  Lord 
and  Master  of  us  all,  His  power  to  uplift  and  to 
save,  she  grew  in  likeness  to  Him,  and  now  she 
sits  radiant  in  the  Heavenlies,  enjoying  Him 
who  was  her  life,  and  who  can  doubt  but  that 
He  whom  she  loved  and  lifted  up  will  draw  the 
souls  she  knew  and  loved,  up  and  up,  even  to 
Himself. 


[40] 


MISS  RUSSELL'S  FUNERAL  SERVICE 

Mrs.  Mary  P.  Ament,  who  has  been  closely  associated 
with  Miss  Russell  during  the  past  year,  sends  the  follow- 
ing account  of  the  last  loving  services  rendered  to  our 
beloved  missionary: 

MANY  friends  had  roamed  the  hills  and 
meadows,  bringing  a  variety  of  flow- 
ers— wild     pinks,     fine     everlastings 
peculiar  to  Pei  Tai  Ho,  also  a  feathery  foliage, 
and  had  massed  them  on  piano  and  organ  be- 
fore the  pulpit  with  beautiful  effect. 

Intimate  friends  went  slowly  down  from  the 
service  to  Ivy  Lodge,  the  Stanleys'  pleasant 
home,  where  Miss  Russell  had  been  spending 
the  vacation  days  and  where  she  died.  As  we 
entered  the  room  and  saw  our  friend  of  many 
years,  she  seemed  asleep,  yet  in  repose  one 
felt  the  power  of  her  personality,  her  high 
purpose,  her  dignity.  The  casket  was  covered 
with  heavy  pongee  and  lined  with  cream-white 
crepe.  She  wore  a  white  embroidered  dress, 
and  about  her  lay  sprays  of  cypress  vine.  Her 
beautiful  silvery  hair  made  her  look  so  queenly ! 
The  long  journey  to  Peking  accomplished, 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

a  large  number  of  friends,  foreign  and  Chinese, 
awaited  us,  and  next  morning  followed  the 
flower-laden  bier  to  the  cemetery. 

There,  as  one  listened  to  the  discriminating 
words  of  Pastor  Li  in  his  address,  and  Pastor 
Wang  in  his  prayer,  it  brought  keen  satisfac- 
tion to  think  that  the  fragrance,  the  real  essence 
of  such  a  life,  was  perceived  by  those  for  whose 
welfare  she  had  laboured.  Rev.  Mr.  Stelle, 
speaking  in  Chinese,  emphasized  our  oppor- 
tunity to  show  our  respect  for  her  by  seeking 
the  things  which  she  valued.  In  English,  he 
told  us  of  the  comfort  sought  by  the  dear  friend 
in  the  Twenty-third  Psalm,  which  she  asked  to 
have  read  to  her  the  day  before  she  left  us. 
He  read  the  Psalm  and  offered  a  prayer  in 
English. 

At  early  dawn  the  messenger  came  and,  tak- 
ing her  by  the  hand,  ascended  the  heavenly 
heights.  "  And  there  shall  be  no  night  there, 
and  they  need  no  candle,  neither  light  of  the 
sun,  for  the  Lord  God  giveth  them  light,  and 
they  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever." 

These  words  are  full  of  comfort,  but  as  yet 
we  feel  the  need  of  her  ministry  so  keenly  that 
only  the  knowledge  that  the  same  God  who 
strengthened  her  is  with  us  still  enables  us  to 
move  forward  and  conserve  what  we  may  of 
her  lifework. 

[42] 


Funeral  Service 


With  severe  limitations  of  health  she  yet 
wrought  with  delicate  touch  and  a  beautiful 
fabric  was  merging  from  beneath  her  hands. 

I  must  allude  briefly  to  the  beauty  of  the  day, 
with  its  clear  shining  after  rain,  the  deep  sor- 
row of  the  devoted  friends  who  followed  the 
bier  on  foot  over  miles  of  roadless  distance 
from  Ch'ienmen  to  the  cemetery,  that  quiet, 
ivy-walled  inclosure  in  which  stands  the  chapel 
where  the  service  was  held — a  tender,  impres- 
sive service. 

We  had  thought  that  few  American  or  Eng- 
lish friends  could  be  present  at  this  time  of 
year,  when  the  foreign  residents  are  away  from 
the  city,  but  we  were  mistaken.  Two  secretaries 
of  Legation,  physicians  of  the  Union  Medical 
College,  fellow-workers,  and  old-time  friends 
were  there;  native  pastors,  Bible  women,  and 
church  friends,  servants  and  guards  of  honour 
sent  by  the  military  governor  of  the  city  and 
by  the  chief  of  the  civil  administration.  The 
chapel  had  as  many  people  standing  as  there 
were  sitting.  The  casket  with  its  covering  of 
beautiful  vines  and  white  flowers,  roses,  day 
lilies,  tuberoses,  spirea,  stood  in  front  of  the 
altar  and  was  carried  by  the  friends  to  the 
grave,  where  loving  hands  had  arranged  the 
beautiful  wild  date  branches  and  vines  as  a  lin- 
ing. There,  a  short  service  with  Pastor  Jen  and 

[43] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

Teacher  Ch'uan  taking  part,  and  a  prayer  and 
a  hymn. 

The  mound  as  we  left  it  was  beautiful  with 
the  sides  covered  with  the  green  vines  and 
date  branches,  and  on  top  the  lovely  floral 
pieces  and  coloured  flowers,  two  great  wreaths 
of  the  long  palm  leaves  and  roses,  and  at  the 
head  a  floral  cross.  There  in  the  quiet  and 
peace  among  the  trees  we  left  it.  Some  of  the 
Chinese  are  already  saying,  "  When  a  stone  is 
erected,  let  it  have  one  Chinese  word  upon  it, 
just  her  name,  then  we  can  find  her  grave 
and  every  spring  at  the  '  Ch'ing  Ming ' — feast 
of  all  souls — we  will  go  out  and  honour  her 
memory." 

There  is  a  hush  upon  us  all.  God  has  come 
very  near  and  taken  our  Great  Missionary  from 
us.  We  shall  not  look  upon  her  like  again. 


[44] 


GLEANINGS 
FROM  CHINESE  FOLKLORE 

BY 
NELLIE  N.  RUSSELL 


A  TARTAR  JOAN  OF  ARC 

MANY  hundreds  of  years  ago,  there 
lived  far  away  in  the  northern  moun- 
tains of  China  a  very  beautiful  girl, 
named  Liu  Chin  Ting.  She  was  an  only  daugh- 
ter and  having  no  girl  companions  came  to 
spend  most  of  her  time  with  her  brothers.  For 
long  years  the  country  had  been  rent  by  re- 
bellions and  wars.  The  children,  breathing 
in  the  spirit  of  their  fathers,  played  at  sham 
battles  and  dreamed  of  rescuing  their  land. 

Chin  Ting  came  gradually  to  be  looked  upon 
as  their  leader,  her  wise  little  head  was  full  of 
plans,  and  her  eyes  would  flash  fire  as  she  gave 
her  orders  to  the  youths  who  followed  her. 

Her  deeds  were  talked  of  far  and  near  and 
the  people  began  to  say,  "  Surely  a  God  has 
come  down  to  lead  us,  and  help  us  hold  our 
mountain  against  the  roaming  tribes  of  ban- 
ditti.' When  she  was  but  sixteen  years  old  she 
was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  mountain  clan. 
The  men  and  boys  looked  upon  her  as  the 
French  did  upon  Joan  of  Arc  and  gave  her 
their  fullest  confidence  and  devotion.  She 
knew  their  mountains,  all  the  paths  leading  up 
and  down,  the  places  which  needed  to  be 

[471 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

guarded,  the  caves  where  she  and  her  soldiers 
could  hide  and  spring  out  upon  an  unsuspect- 
ing foe. 

The  men  of  the  land  had  either  been  away 
fighting,  or  at  home  tilling  laboriously  their 
poor  lands,  so  there  was  no  one  who  knew  the 
hills  and  valleys  as  did  Chin  Ting.  In  every 
attack  she  was  successful  until  the  neighbour- 
ing tribes  were  subdued  and  left  the  little  king- 
dom in  peace,  for,  they  said,  "  We  cannot  fight 
against  a  god !  " 

When  their  enemies  were  thus  overcome 
Chin  Ting's  father  and  mother  thought  that 
the  time  had  come  when  their  daughter  should 
marry.  From  the  north  and  the  south,  the 
east  and  the  west,  came  offers  for  her  hand,  but 
she  would  listen  to  none  of  them,  for  she  said 
she  had  still  to  rescue  her  land  from  their  great 
southern  foe,  the  Chinese. 

Her  parents  laid  their  commands  upon  her 
until  at  last  she  yielded  so  far  as  to  say,  "  I 
will  marry  none  but  the  man  who  can  defeat 
me  in  my  own  mountains."  She  wrote  her  vow 
on  a  tablet  and  had  it  set  up  in  the  main  pass 
through  which  all  must  go  to  reach  the  heights. 

Many  were  the  battles  fought  by  the  heads 
of  the  other  tribes,  but  she  easily  held  her 
mountain. 

One  day  the  general  of  the  northern  Sung 

[48] 


A  Tartar  Joan  of  Arc 


dynasty,  Kao  Chun  Pao,  on  his  way  to  report 
to  the  Emperor,  crossed  the  pass  and  seeing  the 
tablet  read  the  inscription,  and  in  disgust  broke 
the  slab  into  bits,  saying,  "  Is  it  possible  that 
in  our  great  land  there  is  a  woman  with  so  little 
self-respect  as  thus  to  proclaim  her  want  of 
feminine  delicacy?  She  must  surely  be  some 
great  overgrown  ugly  creature.  I  would  stamp 
upon  her  even  as  I  do  upon  the  broken  bits  of 
this  tablet,"  as  he  ground  them  under  his 
feet. 

A  man  of  the  mountains,  who  had  heard 
from  his  lookout  post  the  bitter  words,  ran  in 
hot  haste  to  Chin  Ting  and  told  her  all  that  the 
General  had  said  and  done.  The  proud  maiden 
was  furious  at  being  thus  scorned,  and  blowing 
her  horn  summoned  the  men  of  the  mountains 
to  hear  the  insult  offered  her  and  to  revenge  her 
wrong. 

Meanwhile  General  Kao  had  decided  to  give 
battle  and  punish  this  woman. 

While  he  was  making  inquiries  as  to  who  she 
was,  her  men  came  upon  him  with  great  fury. 
With  amazement  the  famous  general  saw  the 
young  girl  who  led  them.  The  engagement  was 
long  and  severe,  but  resulted  in  the  defeat  of 
the  Chinese  leader,  who  was  made  a  prisoner 
and  carried  to  the  home  of  Chin  Ting  to  be  be- 
headed. 

[49] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

Now,  General  Kao  was  a  very  handsome 
young  man  of  distinguished  bearing. 

His  admiration  for  his  conqueror  was  so  evi- 
dent in  his  looks  and  words,  that  he  not  only 
disarmed  her  anger  but  won  her  heart.  She 
decided  to  marry  rather  than  to  kill  him.  The 
wedding  was  hastily  arranged,  and  the  General 
with  his  bride  set  out  at  once  for  Peking,  to 
take  his  report  to  the  Emperor  and  to  take 
command  of  a  large  force  which  was  to  move 
southward  from  the  capital  to  recapture  the 
city  of  Yang  Chow,  which  was  in  the  hands 
of  southern  rebels.  According  to  the  law  of 
the  land,  any  officer,  under  orders,  who  mar- 
ried during  a  campaign  should  be  beheaded. 
When  the  Emperor  heard  the  story  of  General 
Kao  he  ordered  that  he  be  degraded  and  at 
once  executed,  but  later,  as  he  heard  more  and 
more  of  the  valour  of  the  wife  he  had  taken,  he 
said,  "If  she  will  take  the  city  of  Yang  Chow, 
her  husband's  life  shall  be  her  reward."  She 
was  given  command  of  the  army  in  place  of 
Kao  Chun  Pao,  who  was  allowed  to  accompany 
her  as  assistant. 

She  led  the  army  to  the  south  and  attacked 
the  city  day  after  day  with  resistless  energy 
and  resourcefulness.  After  a  long  siege  the 
stronghold  fell  into  her  hands.  The  Governor 
was  taken  prisoner  and  sent  as  voucher  for  the 

[50] 


A  Tartar  Joan  of  Arc 


completeness  of  her  conquest  to  the  Emperor. 
On  his  arrival  the  papers  granting  pardon  to 
her  husband  were  sent  to  Chin  Ting,  and  she 
was  made  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Im- 
perial forces.  For  thirty  years  she  led  them  in 
many  victorious  battles  and  recovered  much 
territory  which  had  been  lost  by  the  northern 
kingdom  in  previous  years.  A  picture  show- 
ing her  attack  on  the  gates  of  Yang  Chow  is  a 
great  favourite  with  the  Chinese,  and  always 
on  sale  at  the  New  Year  when  Chinese  homes 
are  freshly  decorated. 


[51] 


A  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  ORIENT 

TWO  thousand  years  ago,  in  the  time  of 
the  Han  dynasty,  there  lived  in  China  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Chun  Yii  I.  He 
was  a  small  official  and,  because  of  some  of- 
fence by  which  he  had  angered  his  superior,  he 
was  sentenced  to  have  his  feet  cut  off. 

Great  was  the  sorrow  in  the  home  when  the 
decision  was  made  known.  No  fires  were 
lighted  in  the  kitchen,  for  no  one  could  think 
of  eating.  With  deep  sighs  and  bitter  tears 
Mr.  Chun  bewailed  his  fate.  "  Alas !  alas !  " 
said  he;  "  how  bitter  is  my  lot!  Had  I  a  son 
he  would  suffer  for  me.  To  me  have  come  five 
daughters.  Ah!  had  the  gods  only  been  good 
and  given  me  one  son!  What  can  girls  do? 
Indeed  I  am  accursed." 

Hour  by  hour  he  thus  lamented.  His  wife 
and  children  mourned  and  fasted,  but  "  Alas ! 
what  can  we  do  ?  "  was  their  hopeless  cry. 

The  fateful  day  came  when  the  father  must 
go  to  the  capital,  there  to  receive  his  punish- 
ment. 

In  the  early  morning  his  little  daughter 
"  Glory,"  only  ten  years  old,  came  and  knelt 
down  before  him,  and  with  many  tears  be- 
[52] 


A  Daughter  of  the  Orient 

sought  him  to  allow  her  to  accompany  him. 
He  refused,  but  she  persisted  with  prostra- 
tions and  knockings  of  her  head  on  the  brick 
floor. 

"If  you  do  not  let  me  go  I  can  but  die.  How 
can  I  live  through  these  days  and  not  know  how 
you  are?  I  must  go.  Indeed  I  either  go  or  die." 
All  of  these  words  were  accompanied  with  so 
many  knocks  of  the  little  head  on  the  bricks 
at  his  feet  that  the  father  gave  way  and  told 
her  mother  and  the  servants  to  get  her  and  her 
nurse  ready  for  the  journey. 

On  the  road  she  told  the  servants  that,  as 
early  as  possible,  after  reaching  the  city  they 
must  find  a  way  for  her  to  see  the  Emperor, 
for  she  was  going  to  plead  for  her  father. 

Now,  in  those  days  the  Emperor  of  China 
was  not  shut  away  from  his  people  as  he  was 
later,  and  little  Glory  was  taken  by  her  father's 
steward  to  the  palace  gate.  Here  she  knocked 
her  head  to  the  soldiers  on  guard  and  asked 
to  be  allowed  to  see  the  Emperor. 

The  hearts  of  the  rough  men  were  touched 
by  her  distress  and  sweet,  pleading  little  face 
and  the  request  was  sent  in  to  the  palace. 
Word  came  back  that  little  Glory  was  to  enter. 
With  trembling  hands  and  quivering  lips,  but 
shining  eyes,  she  knelt  before  her  Emperor. 
Many  times  did  she  make  her  prostrations,  and 

[53] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

at  his  command  she  told  her  story  with  much 
weeping. 

She  told  him  how  good  and  kind  her  father 
was;  that  every  one  loved  him;  he  had  never 
made  a  mistake  before,  and  indeed  the  thing 
for  which  he  was  to  be  punished  had  been  much 
exaggerated.  She  finished  with,  "  O  Great 
Emperor,  I  entreat  you  to  allow  me  to  become 
one  of  your  slaves  and  thus  redeem  my  father's 
mistake,  and  secure  his  pardon.  I  shall  have 
long  years  to  serve  you,  and  my  father  is  old. 
Alas !  alas !  the  gods  have  given  him  no  son  to 
plead  for  him,  and  I  am  but  a  little  girl!  I 
entreat,  I  beg,  oh,  hear  me,  Great  and  Glorious 
Emperor,  spare  my  father  and  let  me  be  your 
slave  forever." 

The  Emperor's  heart  was  melted  within  him 
as  he  looked  upon  her  distress  and  heard  her 
voice  so  full  of  anguish;  and,  telling  her  to  rise 
and  stand  near  him,  he  said,  "  You  are  indeed 
a  filial  daughter.  A  country  with  such  an  one 
is  blest  like  the  possessor  of  a  precious  jewel. 
I  pardon  your  father  and  restore  his  official 
position ;  and  you  may  go  home  with  him." 

The  Emperor  then  called  his  ministers  and 
commanded  them  to  have  it  published  abroad 
that  from  that  day  the  punishment  of  cutting  off 
the  hands  and  feet  of  criminals  was  to  be  done 
away  with  forever.  "  This,"  said  he,  "  is  an 

[54] 


A  Daughter  of  the  Orient 

expression  of  my  pleasure  that  such  a  daughter 
of  the  gods  lives  within  the  '  four  seas.' ' 

When  little  Glory  was  taken  to  the  prison 
where  her  father  was  confined,  she  knelt  before 
him  and  told  him  of  her  visit  to  the  palace  and 
the  Emperor's  promise.  Great  was  his  surprise 
that  his  little  daughter  had  saved  him,  and  it 
was  with  difficulty  they  convinced  him  of  the 
truth  of  her  story. 

When  he  could  no  longer  doubt  he  said,  "  My 
life  is  sweet  because  the  gods  have  given  me 
such  a  daughter.  What  need  have  I  of  sons  ?  " 


[55] 


THE  WILD  GOOSE  AND  THE 
SPARROW 

THE  great  Chinese  sage,  Confucius,  had 
a  son-in-law,  Kung  Yeh  Chang,  who 
understood  better  than  any  one  before 
or  since  his  day  the  habits  of  birds.  So  much 
time  and  study  did  he  give  to  them  that  tradi- 
tion says  he  understood  all  bird  language  and 
many  stories  are  told  of  him  in  this  connection. 
He  built  a  beautiful  pavilion  in  his  garden, 
which  was  rich  in  flowers,  trees,  shrubs,  and 
ponds,  so  that  the  birds  loved  to  gather  there ; 
thus  he  was  able  to  spend  many  delightful  hours 
in  their  company  listening  to  their  wise  and 
unwise  talk. 

Many  of  these  conversations  have  been 
handed  down  the  past  two  thousand  years  in 
the  wonderful  folklore  of  China,  and  from 
these  one  can  see  the  influence  they  have  had  on 
the  customs  and  traditions  of  the  people. 

Among  the  Chinese  the  wild  goose  has  the 
reputation  for  having  more  virtues  and  wisdom 
than  any  other  bird.  This  is  brought  out  in  the 
following  story.  One  day,  while  Kung  Yeh 
Chang  was  resting  in  his  pavilion,  a  small 
house-sparrow  lit  in  a  tree  near-by  and  com- 
[56] 


The  Wild  Goose  and  the  Sparrow 

menced  singing  and  chattering.  A  little  later 
a  wild  goose  dropped  down  by  the  pond  for  a 
drink.  Hardly  had  he  taken  a  sip  when  the 
little  sparrow  called  out,  "  Who  are  you  ? 
Where  are  you  going?  "  To  this  the  goose  did 
not  reply  and  the  sparrow  became  angry  and 
asked  again,  "  Who  are  you,  that  you  should  be 
so  proud  and  lofty  you  cannot  pay  attention  to 
my  questions?  Why  do  you  consider  me  be- 
neath your  notice?  "  and  still  the  goose  did  not 
answer.  Then,  indeed,  was  the  little  sparrow 
furious.  In  a  loud,  shrill  voice,  he  said,  "  Every 
one  listens  to  me!  Again  I  ask,  who  are  you 
with  your  lofty  airs?  Tell  me  or  I  will  fly  at 
you,"  and  he  put  his  head  up,  and  spread  his 
wings,  and  tried  to  look  very  large  and  fierce. 

By  this  time  the  goose  had  finished  drinking, 
and  looking  up  he  said,  "  Don't  you  know  that 
in  a  big  tree  with  many  branches  and  large 
leaves  the  cicadas  love  to  gather  and  make  a 
noise?  I  could  not  hear  you  distinctly.  You 
also  know  the  saying  of  the  Ancients,  '  If  you 
stand  on  a  mountain  and  talk  to  the  people  in 
the  valley  they  cannot  hear  you,' "  and  the 
wild  goose  took  another  drink. 

How  the  little  sparrow  chattered  and  sput- 
tered, shook  his  wings,  and  at  last  said,  "  In 
what  way  are  you,  with  your  long  neck  and 
short  tail,  better  than  I  ?  In  what  is  your  value 

[57] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

greater.  Tell  me,  and  if  you  can  prove  it  you 
shall  be  my  teacher.  What,  for  instance,  do 
you  know  of  the  great  world?  Now,  I  can  go 
into  people's  houses,  hide  in  the  rafters  under 
their  windows,  see  their  books  and  pictures, 
what  they  have  to  eat  and  what  they  do.  I  can 
hear  all  the  family  secrets,  know  all  that  goes 
on  in  the  family  and  state.  I  know  who  are 
happy  and  who  are  sad.  I  know  all  the  quar- 
rels and  all  the  gossip.  All  the  other  birds  are 
glad  to  see  me  because  I  can  tell  them  the  latest 
news,  and  I  know  just  how  to  tell  it  to  produce 
the  best  effect.  So  you  see  that  I  know  much 
that  you,  with  your  great  stupid  body,  can  never 
hope  to  know." 

"  We  consider,"  said  the  wild  goose,  "  that 
the  highest  law  of  virtue  and  good  is  to  give 
others  an  equal  chance  with  ourselves,  or  even 
to  give  them  the  first  choice.  Because  of  this 
we  always  fly  either  in  the  shape  of  the 
character  '  Man,'  or  the  figure  one.  No 
one  takes  advantage  of  the  other.  We  be- 
lieve in  the  'Three  Bonds,'  i.e.,  Prince  and 
Minister,  Husband  and  Wife,  Father  and  Son. 
Also  in  the  five  virtues, — Benevolence,  Right- 
eousness, Propriety,  Knowledge,  and  Truth. 
With  us,  if  the  male  bird  dies,  the  female  flies 
alone;  if  the  female  dies  the  male  flies  alone;  if 
both  parents  die  their  young  fly  alone  for  three 
[58] 


The  Wild  Goose  and  the  Sparrow 

years.  We  have  our  unchanging  customs  of 
going  north  in  the  spring  and  south  in  the  win- 
ter. People  come  to  depend  on  us,  and  make 
ready  for  either  their  spring  work  or  the  cold 
of  winter.  Thus,  while  we  have  not  known  the 
family  or  state  skeletons  and  the  gossip  of  the 
women  and  servants,  we  are  a  help  to  man. 

"  Now,  you  have  no  laws  binding  you.  As  a 
family,  you  sparrows  are  selfish;  you  gossip, 
chatter,  steal,  and  drive  away  every  one  else, 
only  thinking  of  your  own  good.  Even  among 
yourselves  you  quarrel.  Because  of  these 
things  you  are  treated  with  contempt  and 
looked  lightly  upon  by  all.  Indeed,  so  much 
so  that  you  are  a  by-word.  Now,  we  are  re- 
spected and  held  up  as  models.  Do  you  not 
hear  parents  and  teachers  tell  their  children  and 
scholars  to  come  and  go  quietly  by  themselves 
to  and  from  school ;  to  go  straight  ahead  with- 
out looking  to  the  right  or  left ;  not  to  gather  in 
groups  and  chatter  like  house-sparrows?  t)o 
not  the  respectable  people  do  the  same  on  the 
street  and  in  the  house  ?  Is  there  not  a  proverb 
that  '  There  are  many  people  without  the  wis- 
dom and  virtues  of  the  wild  goose  '  ?  You  do, 
indeed,  chatter  about  small  affairs  like  foolish 
women  and  girls  and  thus  are  beneath  my  notice 
and  I  bid  you  good-day." 

All  this  time  the  poor  little  sparrow  was 

[59] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

trembling  with  rage,  and  so  great  was  it  that 
she  could  not  fly  away  nor  keep  her  hold  on 
the  branch  of  the  tree,  and  so  she  fell  to  the 
ground,  and  thus  she  died. 

Kung  Yeh  Chang  exclaimed  as  he  looked  at 
her  and  then  at  the  goose  away  in  the  distance, 
"  Ai  ya  [sad,  sad],  most  of  mankind  are  like 
the  sparrow,  but  the  truly  superior  man  will  be 
like  the  wild  goose  and  follow  the  rules  of  the 
Three  Bonds  and  Five  Virtues." 


[60] 


A  CHINESE  HERO 
HAN  HSIN 

THE  youth  of  Western  lands  know  very 
little  of  the  great  land  of  China,  with 
its  long  history  reaching  far  back  into 
the  dim  past.    How  little  is  known  of  the  fierce, 
stupendous  struggles   in  the  long  ago,  when 
China  was  not  one  country  but  was  composed 
of  many  small  kingdoms  whose  people  were 
constantly  fighting   with   each   other   for   su- 
premacy. 

It  was  in  those  early  days  that  were  born 
China's  heroes  who  have  been  remembered  ever 
since  in  song  and  story.  To  the  Chinese  but 
little  stage  setting  is  necessary  for  their  na- 
tional heroes.  In  their  theatrical  plays  their 
imaginations  fill  in,  with  the  help  of  mere  sug- 
gestions, all  that  is  needed  to  make  their  sur- 
roundings very  real  to  them. 

One  of  China's  greatest  heroes  was  Han 
Hsin.  He  lived  in  the  kingdom  of  Chin,  very 
many  centuries  ago.  When  he  was  a  small 
boy  he  showed  remarkable  wisdom,  and,  al- 
though he  was  very  small  of  stature,  his  teach- 
ers predicted  a  great  future  for  him. 
[61] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

One  day,  when  Han  was  only  six  years  old, 
he  and  another  little  boy  were  playing  ball, 
when  the  ball  came  down  into  the  deep  hole  of 
the  millstones.  They  could  not  get  it  out  at 
first  and  the  other  lad  wanted  to  call  for  help. 
Little  Han  Hsin  said,  "  No,  I  will  think  of  a 
plan."  Finding  a  long  stick,  he  began  filling 
the  hole  with  earth.  As  he  poured  the  earth 
into  the  hole,  he  kept  stirring  the  ball  around, 
thereby  keeping  it  on  top  of  the  earth  until  he 
could  reach  it  with  his  hand. 

Another  time  he  saw  a  woman,  in  rage,  jump 
into  a  large  earthen  water-barrel.  He  was  not 
strong  enough  to  draw  her  out,  and  no  one  was 
near,  so  he  found  a  stone  and  beat  with  all  his 
strength  on  the  barrel  until  he  made  a  hole  in  it 
near  the  bottom,  and  the  water  running  out,  the 
life  of  the  woman  was  saved.  Many  such 
stories,  and  more  wonderful  ones,  were  told  of 
him,  and  his  fame  spread  all  over  the  kingdom. 

In  those  days  every  prince  had  a  wise  man, 
or  a  group  of  wise  men,  about  him  to  give  him 
advice  regarding  the  affairs  of  his  kingdom. 
Han  Hsin  was  presented  to  his  Prince  by  his 
teachers  as  worthy  of  holding  such  a  position, 
but  when  the  Prince  and  his  officers  saw  how 
small  he  was,  they  laughed  and  said,  "  We 
do  not  want  a  child,"  and  would  not  accept  his 
services. 

[62] 


A  Chinese  Hero 


Han  Hsin  then  went  and  presented  himself 
at  the  court  of  the  Prince  of  Chin  Chou.  Now, 
this  Prince,  Chin  Pa,  was  noted  for  his 
strength.  It  was  said  of  him  that,  if  he  tried, 
he  could  breathe  the  roof  off  the  house;  also 
that  he  could  lift  himself  up  by  the  hair.  When 
he  was  small  he  was  fed  on  the  milk  of  the 
tiger.  Thus  his  strength  was  not  the  strength 
of  man. 

When  Han  Hsin  was  presented  to  this 
Prince  by  his  teachers  as  a  wise  man  and  one 
who  could  help  him  make  his  country  strong, 
he  laughed  and  said,  "  What  can  such  a  boy 
do?  If  I  hold  out  my  head  and  tell  him  to  cut 
it  off  he  has  not  the  strength  to  do  it,  even 
though  I  stand  still  and  do  not  resist  him. 
How  can  there  be  wisdom  in  such  a  small  boy? 
How  cart  such  as  he  help  me  ?  He  cannot  fight 
for  me  or  wait  on  me.  Take  away  the  child,  I 
do  not  want  him." 

The  teachers  urged  the  Prince  to  give  the 
young  man  a  trial  and  at  last  he  said,  "  Here  is 
my  spear — let  him  hold  it  up  straight  for  half 
a  day.  If  he  is  strong  enough  for  that,  he  may 
find  something  to  do  in  my  service."  Alas! 
Han  Hsin  could  not  even  for  half  an  hour 
hold  up  the  great  iron  spear,  and  he  was 
driven  with  laughter  and  derision  from  the 
court. 

[63] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

When  the  teachers  remonstrated  with  the 
Prince  he  said,  "  I  want  no  such  weakling  in 
my  kingdom." 

"  But  you  have  made  an  enemy  of  him," 
they  urged,  "  and  if  you  do  not  use  him,  you 
should  kill  him.  Although  you,  our  Prince, 
will  not  believe  us,  we  know  if  you  let  him  go 
he  will,  in  the  end,  be  used  by  some  other  king- 
dom to  destroy  yours."  At  this  Chin  Pa 
laughed  loud  and  long,  but  seeing  the  anxious 
and  serious  faces  of  the  teachers  he  said,  "  I 
will  take  some  soldiers  and  go  after  him,  and 
if  you  wish  I  will  kill  him." 

Now  when  Han  Hsin,  in  bitterness  of  heart, 
was  driven  from  the  court  he  took  the  road 
leading  to  the  mountains,  and  was  part  way  up 
when,  chancing  to  look  back,  he  saw  the 
mounted  band  coming.  They  did  not  see  him, 
but  he  knew  that  they  were  in  search  of  him. 
He  knew  that  he  could  not  escape,  so  he 
stretched  himself  out  on  the  side  of  the  hill 
with  his  feet  toward  the  top  and  his  head  to- 
ward the  bottom  of  the  hill,  and  pretended 
that  he  was  asleep. 

When  Chin  Pa  came  up  and  saw  him  there 
he  smiled  to  himself  and  called  to  his  men  to 
remount,  and  away  they  went  back  to  the  cas- 
tle, laughing  and  making  merry  over  the 
thought  that  any  one  who  would  sleep  in  such 

[64] 


A  Chinese  Hero 


a  position,  could  rend  the  kingdom  away  from 
their  great  Prince. 

When  the  teachers  heard  of  the  outcome  of 
the  pursuit  of  Han  Hsin  they  were  troubled 
and  said,  "It  is  craft  and  not  stupidity — go 
back  again,  overtake  him  and  kill  him."  To 
please  them  and  for  the  sport  of  it,  the  Prince 
started  out  again.  By  this  time  Han  Hsin  had 
crossed  the  mountains  and  was  walking  on  the 
plain.  Again  he  saw  them  coming,  and  look- 
ing about  he  discovered  a  very  ill-smelling  hole, 
and  bending  over  it  he  exclaimed,  as  his  pur- 
suers came  up,  "  Ah,  how  sweet,  how  fra- 
grant ! " 

This  time  the  Prince  declared  that  Han  Hsin 
was  entirely  foolish,  and  he  would  not  kill  a 
fool,  for  a  man  who  did  not  know  the  differ- 
ence between  the  sweetly  fragrant  and  the 
offensive  was  not  one  a  Prince  need  fear. 

Thus  Han  Hsin  was  left  to  himself,  and  re- 
turned to  his  own  country  and  village.  His 
own  Prince,  Han  Kao  Lin,  again  refused  him. 
At  that  time  this  Prince  was  at  war  with  Chin 
Pa  and  was  very  hard  pressed  by  the  latter, 
and  anxious  to  surround  himself  with  wise 
men.  He  could  not  see,  however,  how  there 
could  be  wisdom  in  such  a  small  man  as  Han 
Hsin.  But,  at  last,  after  much  persuasion,  he 
gave  a  reluctant  permission  for  him  to  be  made 
[65] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

leader  of  the  army  which  was  about  to  set  out 
to  attack  Chin  Pa. 

Old  pictures  show  Han  Hsin  seated  on  a 
throne  and  worshipped  by  the  military  men  and 
soldiers  under  him.  They  believed  that  he  was 
to  lead  them  to  victory  and  save  their  country. 
It  is  said  that  he  knew  every  soldier,  and  could 
tell  at  a  glance  how  many  there  were  in  a  com- 
pany passing  before  him  and  who  were  absent 
from  the  ranks.  He  was  one  of  the  greatest 
military  leaders,  if  not  the  greatest,  in  Chinese 
history. 

One  time,  when  engaged  in  war  with  the 
Kingdom  of  Chao,  he  drove  the  enemy  to  the 
bank  of  a  river,  but  they  got  over  in  their  own 
boats  and  destroyed  them  on  the  other  side. 
Feeling  secure  in  the  thought  that  the  army 
under  Han  Hsin  could  not  cross  that  night, 
they  made  a  camp  and  had  a  feast.  But  Han 
Hsin  was  not  an  ordinary  man  and  he  com- 
manded every  man  to  get  a  board  of  some  kind 
and  in  the  darkness  to  swim  across  quietly. 
This  they  did,  and  fell  upon  the  merry  camp 
and  won  a  great  victory. 

Another  time  Han  Hsin  insisted  on  camping 
on  the  shore  of  the  great  river.  His  officers 
and  men  protested,  and  said  that  he  was  not 
leaving  any  path  for  retreat  in  case  of  defeat, 
as  they  had  no  ships  or  bridges  and  few  could 
[66] 


A  Chinese  Hero 


swim  so  far.  All  the  comfort  they  could  get 
was  his  reply,  "  When  defeat  comes  we  will 
discuss  the  question."  The  enemy  were  seen 
coming  upon  them  from  the  front,  and  then 
Han  Hsin  called  to  his  men  to  fight  for  their 
lives,  for  death  was  certainly  behind  them  in 
the  river,  but,  if  they  fought  bravely,  they  could 
defeat  the  enemy  in  front.  This  they  did  with 
great  slaughter. 

At  another  time,  when  fighting  with  the  great 
Chin  Pa,  of  the  Kingdom  of  Chin,  the  latter 
shut  up  all  but  one  of  the  roads  over  the  moun- 
tains and  awaited  Han  Hsin  in  ambuscade  in 
a  very  narrow  place,  the  only  one  where  it 
seemed  possible  for  him  to  get  over  the  moun- 
tains. He  did  not  even  then  know  the  military 
master  that  he  had  to  deal  with  in  Han  Hsin,  as 
it  was  still  early  in  the  war.  Han  Hsin  sent 
out  his  spies,  disguised  as  countrymen,  and 
learned  the  condition  of  things.  So,  calling  up 
his  men  to  make  a  lot  of  bags,  even  turning 
their  clothes  into  bags,  his  army  set  out. 

On  reaching  the  steepest  place  in  ascending 
the  mountains,  he  commanded  the  army  to  halt 
and  fill  the  bags  with  earth.  This  place  was 
not  guarded,  as  it  was  supposed  to  be  impos- 
sible of  ascent.  During  the  night,  however, 
Han  Hsin  ordered  an  advance,  and,  using  the 
bags  to  make  a  series  of  steps,  his  army  went 
[67] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

quickly  up  and  over  to  the  other  side,  to  the 
rear  of  Chin  Pa's  army.  Here  Han  Hsin  at- 
tacked the  enemy  in  force  and  easily  put  them 
to  flight.  Later  they  recovered  themselves  and 
in  many  battles  afterward  between  these  two 
great  generals  neither  could  obtain  any  great 
advantage. 

Now  Han  Hsin  had  a  friend  and  helper  in 
Chang  Lang,  a  literary  man  who  was  wise  and 
safe  to  trust,  and  who  often  helped  him  in  his 
plans.  They  talked  over  the  situation,  and 
Chang  Lang  said  that  the  strength  of  Chin  Pa 
was  in  a  company  of  three  thousand  soldiers 
who  were  all  related  to  each  other,  and  whose 
officers  were  also  of  the  same  clan.  In  some 
way  that  company  must  be  disbanded  or  Han 
Hsin  never  would  win  the  final  victory.  Many 
plans  were  formed,  but  the  soldiers  of  the  clan 
seemed  to  possess  charmed  lives. 

At  last  Chang  Lang  came  one  night  to  the 
tent  of  Han  Hsin  and  said,  "  I  have  found  a 
way,  and,  as  there  is  a  fine  wind  and  it  is  on 
the  eve  of  a  battle,  I  will  try  my  new  scheme." 
He  then  produced  a  large  kite,  the  first  ever 
made,  and  disclosed  his  plan.  All  these  years 
Han  Hsin  had  remembered  how  Chin  Pa  had 
laughed  at  his  small  stature,  but  he  was  that 
night  to  show  him  that,  though  small,  he  was 
formidable  as  an  enemy. 
[68] 


A  Chinese  Hero 


Some  of  his  officers  were  called  in  and 
fastened  him  by  ropes  to  the  kite  and  then  let 
go.  Gradually  the  kite  ascended,  and,  in  the 
twilight,  appeared  high  over  the  camp  of  the 
three  thousand  soldiers.  They  were  filled  with 
terror,  for  never  before  had  such  a  thing  been 
seen  or  heard  of.  It  was  dark  enough  to  pre- 
vent them  from  seeing  Han  Hsin  at  the  height 
and  distance  he  was  from  them.  The  kite 
came  to  rest  for  a  few  moments,  and  they 
heard  a  voice  say,  "  You  all  have  old  and  young 
in  your  homes.  Why  do  you  not  go  home  to 
them  ?  If  you  stay  on,  you  will  some  day  all  be 
killed;  then  who  will  worship  at  the  grave  of 
your  fathers  and  hand  down  the  name?" 

The  men  said,  "  It  is  a  voice  of  a  god,  a 
warning,  let  us  depart  at  once,"  and  that  night 
they  left  the  camp. 

The  battle  the  next  day  was  terrific,  but  in 
the  end  Han  Hsin  won  a  great  victory.  When 
urged  to  kill  his  old  enemy  he  said,  "  No,  let 
him  go,  for  he  will  kill  himself,  and  that  will  be 
better."  So,  Chin  Pa  was  set  at  liberty  and 
started  with  his  army  to  return  south.  The 
battle  had  been  near  a  river  and  Han  Hsin 
knew  that  Chin  Pa  must  cross  it  on  his  retreat. 
So,  before  the  battle  was  fought,  Han  Hsin  had 
written,  in  honey,  on  a  big  stone  slab  near  the 
ford,  these  four  words,  "Heaven  Destroy 

[69] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

Hsiang  Yi."  The  last  two  words  were  Chin 
Pa's  name.  A  swarm  of  ants  scenting  the 
honey  crawled  up  to  eat  it,  and  thus  outlined 
the  characters  very  distinctly. 

When  Chin  Pa  came  over  the  river  and  saw 
the  stone  with  the  four  large  characters  he  said, 
"  Woe  is  me,  even  the  worms  and  ants  know 
that  Heaven  has  deserted  me.  I  will  kill  my- 
self." And  then  and  there,  almost  in  sight  of 
his  enemy,  the  man  he  had  regarded  with  con- 
tempt, he  killed  himself. 

Thus  ended  a  strife  of  nearly  twenty  years 
between  two  kingdoms,  and  Han  Hsin  came  to 
be  the  Prince  of  his  kingdom.  Often  during 
the  time  of  kite-flying  in  China,  away  in  the 
heavens  one  sees  a  kite  in  the  shape  of  an  old- 
time  warrior,  and  few  of  the  many  beautiful 
and  fancy  kites  to  be  seen  have  such  an  inter- 
esting story.  The  kite  has  come  to  be,  in  West- 
ern lands,  merely  an  amusement,  but  in  China, 
where  it  was  probably  invented,  it  ever  carries 
with  the  sport  the  message,  "  Strength  of  mind 
is  greater  than  strength  of  body." 


[70] 


A  CHINESE  TEA-HOUSE  STORY 
CHI  HSIAO  TANG 

ONE  day  the  Emperor  Chia  Ching  called 
his  scribe,  the  great  and  crafty  Yen 
Sung,  and  said,  "  I  want  four  poems 
immediately,  one  on  each  of  the  seasons." 

The  word  was  sent  out  and  within  a  few 
days  poems  were  presented  and  accepted  on 
Summer,  Autumn,  and  Winter,  but  not  one  writ- 
ten on  Spring  pleased  the  Emperor.  Again  and 
again  the  literary  men  wrote  on  the  subject, 
but  only  to  fail  of  his  approbation.  At  last  he 
declared  in  a  rage  that  unless  a  poem  that 
could  be  set  to  music  and  sung  by  the 
ladies  of  the  palace  should  immediately  be 
produced  there  would  soon  be  fewer  literary 
men  in  the  country,  and  commanded  his  min- 
ister to  see  that  his  wishes  were  at  once  carried 
out. 

Yen  Sung,  almost  in  despair,  went  to  his 
steward  and  told  him  his  dilemma.  Now, 
Nien  Chi,  the  steward,  was  as  bold  and  bad  a 
man  as  his  master,  shrewd  and  cunning  withal. 
After  a  moment's  thought  he  said,  "  Rest  your 
heart !  I  know  a  teacher  of  great  ability,  who 

[71] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

lives  at  my  inn;  I  will  see  what  he  can  do." 
He  called  his  cart,  went  in  great  state  to  the 
inn,  and  asked  for  a  man  by  the  name  of  Chi 
Hsiao  Tang.  When  Teacher  Chi  appeared  Nien 
Chi  with  profound  bows  and  his  most  pleasing 
manner  said,  "  The  fame  of  your  literary  abil- 
ity has  come  to  the  ears  of  my  master,  Yen 
Sung,  and  he  desires  you  to  write  immediately 
a  poem  on  Spring." 

Chi  Hsiao  Tang  replied,  "  I  am  a  man  of 
mean  ability,  but  that  is  indeed  an  easy  subject 
which  you  give  me.  Return  in  a  few  hours' 
time  and  my  poor  production  shall  be  ready  for 
you." 

Nien  Chi  thanked  him  and  took  his  leave. 
He  returned  later  and  the  poem  was  awaiting 
him  as  promised.  He  read  it  with  delight  and 
said  to  the  author,  "  The  gods  have  indeed  given 
you  a  great  gift.  One  of  them  must  have 
spoken  to  you  from  the  Imperial  heavens.  My 
master  will  surely  call  and  thank  you  in  per- 
son." He  then  withdrew  and  hastened  to  the 
palace  of  Yen  Sung,  who  seized  the  manuscript 
and  read  it  eagerly,  exclaiming,  as  he  finished 
its  perusal,  "  Thank  the  gods,  we  are  saved ! 
This  is  simply  perfect." 

Then  his  face  fell,  for  on  the  corner  of  the 
sheet  were  the  name  and  seal  of  the  writer. 
"  This  will  never  do,"  said  he.    "  I  want  to  send 
[72] 


A  Chinese  Tea-House  Story 

it  in  as  my  own,  and  how  can  I?  Alas!  I 
must  still  delay  to  copy  it  to-night." 

The  next  day  he  presented  it  to  the  Emperor 
as  his  own  "  mean  effort,"  and  humbly  begged 
for  pardon  that  he  could  do  no  better  for  his 
great  and  mighty  sovereign.  The  Emperor  was 
much  pleased  and  gave  Yen  Sung  costly  pres- 
ents and  high  literary  honours. 

Shortly  after  came  the  triennial  examina- 
tions for  the  advanced  degrees. 

Yen  Sung  was  one  of  the  judges  of  the  es- 
says. He  knew  that  Chi  Hsiao  Tang  would 
probably  be  promoted  as  he  was  a  man  of  such 
ability,  and  he  feared  that  the  story  of  the  poem 
would  in  some  way  reach  the  ears  of  the  Em- 
peror. 

After  much  thought  as  to  how  to  avert  such 
a  calamity,  he  issued  a  proclamation  that  no 
one  by  the  name  of  Chi  be  admitted  to  the 
examination. 

Chi  Hsiao  Tang  presented  himself  at  the 
hall  on  the  opening  day,  but  was  refused  a 
place  among  the  aspirants  for  degrees,  the  only 
reason  given  being  that  an  order  barring  all  of 
his  surname  had  been  issued  by  the  powerful 
minister  and  judge,  Yen  Sung.  In  great  sor- 
row and  disappointment  the  scholar  returned  to 
his  inn  and  wrote  to  his  wife,  telling  her  to  sell 
some  of  their  land  and  come  to  Peking  to  await 

[731 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

with  him  the  next  opportunity  for  examination, 
three  years  later.  This  she  did.  They  rented 
a  place  and  there,  day  by  day,  he  studied,  hop- 
ing to  see  the  ban  lifted. 

One  day  while  out  for  a  walk  he  saw  a 
great  crowd  gathered.  Drawing  near  he  found 
that  a  man  of  eminence  was  to  be  executed. 
He  asked,  "Who  is  the  prisoner?"  and  was 
told,  "  An  official  by  the  name  of  Pai." 

"  What  has  he  done  that  he  should  be  so  de- 
graded ? "  asked  Chi  Hsiao  Tang  of  a  man 
standing  near.  "  How  can  you  ask  that  ?  " 
replied  the  man,  "  when  Yen  Sung  is  the  head 
of  the  Empire.  He  has  but  to  nod  and  officials 
lose  their  heads." 

As  the  already  disappointed  scholar  turned 
away  he  said,  "  What  can  I  hope  for  when  such 
a  man  as  that  is  executed  ?  "  Sadly  musing,  he 
continued,  "  I  had  hoped  to  become  an  official, 
serve  my  country,  and  receive  honour,  but  I 
see  the  life  of  a  minister  is  a  most  dangerous 
one.  If  he  would  be  upright,  he  has  not  the  rest 
and  quiet  of  the  common  citizen.  All  is  weak- 
ness and  evil  under  the  sun.  I  will  no  longer 
mingle  with  men,  but  will  go  apart  and  seek  to 
prepare  myself  for  a  higher  existence  among 
those  who  by  contemplation  and  renunciation 
have  become  fit  for  companionship  with  the 
gods." 

[74] 


A  Chinese  Tea-House  Story 

He  went  home,  told  his  wife  what  he  had 
seen,  and  said,  "  I  have  given  up  my  plan  for 
an  official  life.  At  our  home  in  the  country  are 
houses  and  land,  all  you  can  ever  need." 
"  Why  not  return  at  once,  care  for  our  prop- 
erty, and  live  in  quiet  ?  "  asked  his  wife.  "  No ! 
There  is  no  hope  for  me.  I  give  all  our  pos- 
sessions to  you,"  was  his  reply. 

"What  is  your  purpose?"  questioned  the 
now  anxious  wife.  "  If  you  will  not  return  to 
the  home  of  your  ancestors,  what  do  you  mean 
by  giving  the  land  to  me?  Are  you  going  to 
enter  the  Eternal  ?  " 

Chi  Hsiao  Tang  looked  thoughtful  for  a 
moment,  and  then  said,  "  I  will  go  to  some 
quiet  place  in  the  mountains.  There  will  I  live 
and  purify  myself  from  this  evil  world.  I 
care  or  hope  no  longer  for  earthly  joy  or  posi- 
tion. It  is  all  vanity — vanity." 

"  But  what  of  me?  "  urged  his  wife.  "  Am 
I  nothing  more  to  you?  Are  you  casting  me 
off  also?  This  you  shall  not  do.  We  will  go 
together  to  the  country  and  there  you  will 
forget  your  disappointment,  or  I  too  will  go 
with  you  to  the  purple  hills  by  Buddha's  help. 
Possibly  by  long  years  of  tears,  prayers,  and 
self-denial  the  great  Buddha  will  have  com- 
passion on  me,  and  I  too  may  find  Peace.  I 
cannot. hope  to  enter  into  your  spirit  life,  I 

[75] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

who  am  only  a  woman,  but  surely  the  effort  I 
make  will  at  least  be  seen  by  the  god.  Do  you 
think,  because  I  am  a  woman,  my  heart  does 
not  long  for  that  which  can  give  rest?  Why 
do  I  sit  every  night,  hour  after  hour,  with  my 
tongue  pressed  against  the  roof  of  my  mouth, 
my  hands  and  feet  crossed,  trying  not  to  be 
conscious  of  any  bodily  sensation.  Is  it  not 
that  I  too  may  come  in  touch  with  the  great 
pure  Holy  Ones  ?  Why  do  I  repeat  the  name  of 
the  great  Buddha  hundreds  of  times  each  day, 
before  anything  to  eat  or  drink  crosses  my  lips  ? 
Why  am  I  almost  a  cripple?  Is  it  not  because 
of  the  long  hours  of  kneeling  on  the  cold  brick 
floor  praying  to  the  Goddess  of  Mercy?  Have 
I  not  kept  the  fast  days  most  faithfully  since 
coming  into  your  home?  Have  I  eaten  meat? 
When  you  were  ill  did  I  not  promise  the  gods 
that  if  you  recovered  I  would  go  to  the  high- 
est temple  on  the  mountains,  crawling  all  the 
way  on  hands  and  knees,  and  when  you  were 
restored  to  health  did  I  not  fulfil  my  vow? 
Did  I  not  wear  single  garments  all  one  winter? 
Did  I  not  take  flesh  from  my  own  arm  to  make 
a  broth  which  cured  our  mother  when  she  was 
ill  ?  Do  none  of  these  things  appeal  to  the  Holy 
Ones?  Can  I  not  hope  that  I  too,  a  poor 
woman,  may  attain  to  the  Eternal  Rest  ?  "  The 
tears  streamed  down  her  cheeks  as  she  added, 
[76] 


A  Chinese  Tea-House  Story 

"  Have  compassion  upon  me,  your  wife,  and 
let  me  go  with  you." 

Chi  Hsiao  Tang  looked  tenderly  at  her  for 
a  moment  and  then,  with  a  great  sigh,  which 
showed  that  he  too  suffered  at  the  parting,  re- 
plied, "  What  I  have  said  I  have  said !  You 
would  prevent  me  from  seeing  the  Eternal 
Light.  You  would  hold  me  still  to  the  earthly." 
He  ordered  dinner,  and  as  he  sat  eating  he  saw 
a  new  bench  drop  down  into  his  court. 

"  This,"  said  he  to  himself,  "  must  have 
come  from  the  gods,  whether  to  help  me  to  leave 
the  earth  or  to  keep  me  on  it  I  will  test  and 
see."  So  he  said  to  the  bench,  "  If  you  are  to 
help  me  leave  the  earth  move  up  and  down 
three  times."  This  the  bench  immediately  did. 
His  wife  coming1  in  at  the  moment,  he  called  to 
her  "  to  look  at  the  magic  bench."  She  replied 
in  astonishment,  but  with  a  sense  of  relief, 
"  What  is  this,  are  you  bereft  of  your  senses? 
You  a  Teacher  to  talk  of  a  magic  bench."  He 
answered  gravely,  "  You  shall  see  me  sit  on  the 
bench  and  rise  in  the  air,"  and  before  she  real- 
ized what  had  befallen  her,  he  was  rising  into 
space  and  was  soon  beyond  her  sight. 

"  Ah !  "  said  she  as  she  wept ;  "  he  has  gone 
to  the  purple  mountains  to  attain  the  god-life. 
He  has  left  me  here;  I  will  seek  it  in  my  home." 
She  called  to  him  and  a  faint  sound  came  from 

[77] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

the  distance,  "  The  gods  have  had  pity  upon  me 
and  taken  me  from  the  evil  of  the  world,"  and 
here  he  was  seen  no  more.  The  bench  carried 
him  to  a  mountain  far  from  all  with  which  he 
was  familiar,  and  there  came  to  rest.  He  rose 
to  his  feet  and  as  he  did  so  the  bench  disap- 
peared. He  looked  north,  south,  east,  and  west, 
nothing  but  stones  and  hills,  not  a  human  being 
in  sight. 

He  said  to  himself,  "  What  can  I  do  here? 
I  will  walk  until  I  find  some  living  thing." 
Far  in  the  distance  on  a  high  mountain-top  he 
saw  what  appeared  to  be  a  man.  After  hours 
of  weary  climbing,  faint  with  hunger  and 
thirst,  he  reached  the  spot.  He  found  two  men 
sitting  on  a  stone;  one  had  on  a  yellow  robe, 
white  stockings,  and  striped  shoes.  His  face 
was  very  white  and  he  wore  a  long  beard.  At 
his  side  was  a  cow's  tail,  used  to  brush  away 
flies.  The  other  man  was  dressed  in  black, 
had  a  dark  face,  protruding  eyes,  and  a  long 
black  beard.  One  was  facing  to  the  east,  the 
other  to  the  west,  and  they  were  playing  chess. 
Above  them  was  a  beautiful  spruce  tree,  by 
their  side  a  dish  of  peaches  and  one  of  pears, 
two  wine-cups  and  a  bottle  of  wine.  When 
Chi  Hsiao  Tang  came  up  to  them  they  did 
not  lift  their  heads  or  look  up,  seemed  only 
interested  in  their  game.  But  he  thought, 
[78] 


A  Chinese  Tea-House  Story 

"  These  are  surely  two  gods  in  disguise,"  and 
kneeling  before  them  he  said,  "  I  prostrate  my- 
self to  you,  my  Teachers.  I  wish  to  prepare 
myself  to  join  the  Immortals." 

The  man  in  yellow  lifted  his  head  and  asked, 
"  Where  do  you  come  from  and  why  are  you 
not  going  in  for  the  examinations,  for  I  see 
that  you  are  a  man  of  no  mean  ability? "  Chi 
Hsiao  Tang  replied,  "  It  is  all  vanity." 

"  You  are  rich ;  why  are  you  not  satisfied 
with  the  things  which  money  will  buy?"  was 
the  next  question.  "  They  also  are  vanity," 
was  his  answer.  "  Name,  honour,  riches,  lux- 
ury; at  the  end  of  all  is  death,"  continued  Chi 
Hsiao  Tang.  "  I  have  looked  at  it  all,  tasted 
much  of  it,  and  it  does  not  satisfy  beyond  the 
passing  moment.  I  do  not  desire  it,  and  I  have 
come  to  you,  my  Teachers,  for  instruction  as 
to  the  way  of  attaining  purification  and  the 
true  life."  "  To  attain  that  you  must  suffer 
much.  Can  you  endure  ?  "  said  the  sage.  "  I 
can,"  was  the  reply.  "  Difficulties  are  many. 
Can  you  meet  them?  "  Still  he  answered,  "  I 
can.  I  am  not  afraid  of  difficulties."  "  But," 
urged  the  wise  man,  "  if  you  desire  to  attain 
the  true  life  you  must  be  ready  to  save,  not  to 
destroy  men.  No  one  can  wear  fine  clothes 
like  yours  and  put  away  the  world.  You  will 
have  to  put  on  coarse  cloth  garments.  When 

[79] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

your  shoes  are  worn  out  can  you  go  barefooted 
on  these  rocky  hillsides  ?  "  "I  can  in  time," 
was  the  reply.  "  We  have  no  dainty  food  to 
eat,  only  grain  and  wild  roots  without  salt. 
Can  you  eat  these?  "  "  Yes,  this  also  in  time." 
"  At  home  you  have  wine,  tea,  and  hot  water  to 
drink.  Can  you  give  up  all  these  and  drink  from 
the  holes  by  the  roadside  ?  "  "  Yes !  In  time  I 
can  do  even  this."  The  sage  added  further, 
"  You  will  have  also  to  serve  us,  dig  roots,  and 
prepare  our  food,  you  who  at  home  have  always 
been  served.  Can  you  eat  *  all  this  bitterness, 
even  to  becoming  a  servant?"  Chi  Hsiao 
said  earnestly,  "  All  this  I  can  and  will  do." 
"  One  thing  more,"  said  the  man  in  yellow. 
"  I  have  a  dreadful  sore  on  my  foot.  You 
will  have  to  wash  and  dress  that  every  day.  I 
will  show  it  to  you !  "  It  was  indeed  a  shock- 
ing sight.  For  a  moment  Chi  Hsiao  Tang's 
heart  failed  him,  but  he  resolutely  put  down 
the  disgust  and  nausea  which  the  sickening 
sore  produced,  and  answered  as  before,  "  I  can 
dress  it,  Worthy  Teacher."  "  But  you  must 
press  the  poison  out  with  your  lips.  Will  you 
do  that?"  "Yes!"  "  Then  try  it  now."  As 
he  stooped  and  put  his  lips  to  what  seemed  a 
most  loathsome  sore,  behold!  it  was  a  beautiful 
*  A  common  Chinese  expression  for  discomfort,  pain, 
or  sorrow. 

[80] 


A  Chinese  Tea-House  Story 

ripe  and  luscious  peach,  bound  with  invisible 
bands  about  the  foot. 

When  the  two  Worthies  saw  the  settled  pur- 
pose of  the  man  they  said,  "  You  may  remain 
with  us.  We  will  teach  you  how  to  become 
one  of  the  Perfect  Ones."  At  the  close  of  his 
novitiate  they  sent  him  among  the  mountain 
people  to  help  those  in  distress,  to  cheer  the 
sad  and  discouraged,  and  found  him  always 
ready  to  serve  as  a  messenger  of  the  gods. 
Thus  in  a  life  of  unselfish  service  of  man  was 
he  made  pure,  until  he  reached  that  perfection 
which  is  absorption  into  the  Divine. 


[81] 


THE  JADE  TREASURE 

AtONG  the  ancient  dynasties  of  China 
that  of  the  Chou,  1123  B.C.,  ranks  as 
one  of  the  most  important.    The  name 
of  its  founder,  Wu  Wang,  means  "  Warrior 
Prince,"  and,  though  an  usurper,  he  was  a  most 
exemplary  monarch.     At  that  time  there  was 
constant  conflict  between  the  many  petty  states, 
or    kingdoms,    each    striving    for    the    first 
place. 

An  interesting  story  is  told  of  one  of  the 
great  treasures  of  the  Kingdom  of  Chou.  One 
day  a  poor  workman  found  in  the  mountains  a 
piece  of  jade  in  the  rough.  He  saw  that,  with 
polishing,  it  would  be  most  beautiful ;  and,  mak- 
ing his  way  to  the  city,  he  sought  the  gate- 
keeper of  the  Imperial  Palace  and  asked  to  see 
his  Emperor.  As  he  declined  to  give  a  reason, 
other  than  "  I  have  business,"  his  request  was 
refused.  Day  after  day  he  came  until  the 
officer  in  charge  mentioned  the  matter  to  the 
Emperor,  who  said  that  the  next  time  he  was 
to  be  brought  before  him.  Coming  again  some 
days  later  he  was  taken  to  the  audience-room. 
Here  he  prostrated  himself  before  his  Emperor 
and,  holding  out  the  stone,  said,  "  My  Master, 
[82] 


The  Jade  Treasure 


my  Lord;  in  all  the  world  under  Heaven  there 
is  no  second  piece  of  jade  equal  to  this." 

The  Emperor  looked  and  laughed,  saying, 
"  You  are  a  fool;  that  is  only  a  stone,  common 
stone."  The  man  plead  so  hard  that  the  Em- 
peror sent  out  and  called  in  some  expert  work- 
men in  precious  stones,  and  they  also  looked 
lightly  upon  it  and  said,  "  Only  stone,  only 
stone."  The  Emperor  then  commanded  that 
the  man  be  beaten  and  driven  from  the  gate. 
This  was  done.  A  few  days  after  the  man 
again  appeared  and  plead  his  cause  so  ear- 
nestly that  a  more  expert  workman  was  called 
who  said,  after  careful  examination,  "  Only 
stone,  common  stone."  Then  the  Emperor  was 
very  angry  and  commanded  that  the  man's  legs 
be  cut  off  and  that  he  be  sent  home.  Months 
after  the  man  was  again  carried  to  the  palace 
gate;  here  he  pleaded  so  pitifully  that  the  first 
workman  in  the  kingdom  be  called,  saying,  "  If 
he  says  it  is  not  good  you  may  have  my  life." 
The  Emperor  was  deeply  impressed  with  the 
man's  persistence  and  had  the  most  expert  lapi- 
dary known  called.  After  looking  at  the  stone 
carefully  he  said,  "  Great  Emperor,  you  are 
most  favoured  of  the  gods.  I  give  you  joy." 

"  And  why  say  you  so?  "  the  Emperor  asked. 

"  Because,"  was  the  answer,  "  this  stone  is 
the  most  perfect  jade  under  Heaven.  You  will 

[83] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

be  the  envy  of  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth." 
The  Emperor  was  distrustful,  but  he  com- 
manded that  it  be  cut  and  polished  and  the 
man  who  brought  it  be  put  in  prison.  After 
three  days  the  master- workman  returned  and 
delivered,  with  great  reverence,  the  stone,  now 
indeed  the  most  beautiful  in  all  the  world.  ",No 
words  can  describe  its  loveliness.  It  is  indeed 
from  the  gods,  and  only  the  gods  should  wear 
it,"  exclaimed  the  Emperor,  as  he  held  it  in  his 
hand.  The  poor  workman  was  given  a  great 
reward.  Soon  the  fame  of  this  wonderful 
treasure  spread  over  "  all  the  earth  " ;  songs 
were  composed  about  it ;  wonderful  stories  grew 
up  around  it  until  every  king  who  heard  of  it 
was  filled  with  envy  and  sought,  by  fair  or 
foul  means,  to  possess  it. 

At  last,  when  the  Chou  dynasty  was  going 
into  a  decline  and  the  Chin  was  coming  into 
power,  the  Prince  of  Chin  sent  to  the  Prince 
of  Chou  and  promised  him  twelve  cities  in  ex- 
change for  the  jade  treasure.  The  Prince  of 
Chou  was  very  sad.  He  knew,  if  he  did  not 
accept  the  proposal,  the  Prince  of  Chin  would 
make  war  on  him  and  take  it  by  force,  and  he 
also  felt  sure  he  would  not  get  the  promised 
cities.  In  his  despair  he  called  his  most  trusted 
minister,  Lui  Hsiang  Jui,  who,  after  hearing 
the  demand,  said,  "  My  great  and  mighty 

[84] 


The  Jade  Treasure 


Prince,  do  not  be  troubled  or  anxious;  let  me 
take  the  treasure  to  the  Prince  of  Chin.  I 
promise,  on  my  life,  to  send  it  back  to  you  if 
indeed  he  does  not  make  over  the  promised 
cities."  At  last  it  was  so  decided,  and  the  min- 
ister started  on  his  errand. 

On  reaching  the  palace  of  the  Prince  of  Chin, 
he  was  welcomed  with  great  state  and  pomp. 
After  the  feasting  and  festivities  were  over  he 
presented  the  jade  with  great  reverence  and 
asked  for  the  twelve  cities.  The  Prince  of 
Chin  said  nothing  in  return,  but  feasted  his 
eyes  on  the  beautiful  stone.  At  last  he  said, 
"  The  residents  of  the  inner  palace "  (i.e., 
ladies)  "  have  heard  of  this  wonderful  stone 
and  are  most  anxious  to  see  it.  I  will  send  it 
in  to  them  and  you  make  ready  for  a  second 
feast  I  have  prepared  in  your  honour."  The 
minister  went  to  the  apartments  appointed  for 
him,  in  great  distress  of  mind.  He  felt  sure 
the  Prince  of  Chin  was  not  to  be  trusted,  and 
he  must  think  of  some  plan  by  which  he  could 
recover  the  jewel.  At  the  'feast  nothing  was 
said  of  the  cities,  though  he  inquired  about 
them,  and  at  last  he  pointedly  asked,  "Prince 
of  the  Great  Chin,  do  you  know  what  it  is  in 
the  jade  that  makes  it  the  most  beautiful  the 
gods  have  made  ?  " 

The  Prince  replied,  "  No,  tell  me." 

[85] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

The  minister  replied,  "  Have  the  jade 
brought  and  I  will  show  you."  Immediately  a 
servant  was  sent  to  bring  the  jade  and  at  the 
command  of  the  Prince  handed  it  to  the  Min- 
ister of  Chou,  who,  on  feeling  it  once  more  in 
his  hand,  put  it  in  his  bosom  and  sprang  to  his 
feet.  Putting  his  back  against  a  pillar,  he  said, 
"  Great  Prince,  you  think  to  deceive  my  master, 
the  very  Great  Prince  of  Chou ;  you  do  not  in- 
tend to  give  him  the  twelve  cities.  With  my 
life  I  will  protect  this  treasure  of  my  country, 
the  pride  of  my  Prince,  and  if  any  one  attempts 
to  take  it  from  me  I  will  dash  it  to  the  ground 
and  destroy  it  first." 

The  Prince  of  Chin  was  afraid  the  jade 
would  either  be  injured  or  destroyed  if  a  strug- 
gle for  possession  took  place,  so  he  caused  the 
minister  to  be  locked  in  his  rooms  until  he 
should  willingly  give  it  up. 

The  news  spread  all  through  the  kingdom. 
One  day  a  poorly-clad  stranger  came  to  the 
city  and  went  from  house  to  house  begging. 
When  he  came  to  the  court  where  the  Minister 
of  Chou  was  confined,  he  managed  to  communi- 
cate with  him  and  let  him  know  that  he  was  a 
countryman  of  his  and  would  take  the  treasure 
home.  The  minister,  Lui  Hsiang  Jui,  folded 
it  in  a  paper  and  gave  it  to  him.  The  next  day 
the  Prince  of  Chin  sent  and  demanded  the  jade. 
[86] 


The  Jade  Treasure 


The  minister  said,  "  Tell  your  Great  Prince  I 
have  sent  it  back,  as  I  promised,  to  my  Liege 
Lord."  At  first  they  did  not  believe  his  story 
and  a  great  search  was  made,  but  they  could 
find  no  trace  of  the  treasure.  The  Prince  of 
Chin  was  terribly  angry  and  commanded  that 
the  minister  be  killed;  then,  for  fear  of  the 
Prince  of  Chou,  he  allowed  him  to  depart  to 
his  home  and  country,  hoping  that  the  fortunes 
of  war  would  bring  the  desired  jewel  into  his 
possession.  He  himself  did  not  live  to  secure 
it,  but  long  years  afterward  one  of  his  de- 
scendants overthrew  the  Kingdom  of  Chou 
and  the  much  desired  and  long  struggled  for 
jade  treasure,  "  The  joy  of  the  gods,"  came  to 
the  Kingdom  of  Chin. 


[87] 


CHINESE  HEROISM 

DURING  the  days  between  June  8th  and 
August  1 4th,  1900  A.D.,  many  brave 
deeds  were  seen  and  applauded  by  the 
foreigners  shut  within  the  walls  of  Peking. 
They  will  go  down  in  history  and  make  fas- 
cinating the  story  of  the  siege  of  Peking. 
The  world  will  never  tire  of  reading  of  the 
charges  made  to  capture  cannon  that  were  send- 
ing their  shells  into  the  British  Legation,  and 
of  the  bravery  of  the  Japanese  who  held  the 
Prince's  palace  through  fire,  shot,  and  shell: 
Only  twenty-five  in  number  when  they  entered 
the  city,  by  August  I4th  only  three  had  not 
been  killed  or  wounded.  The  brave  British 
soldier  went  to  his  dangerous  post  not 
knowing  when  a  stray  bullet  would  pick  him 
off.  Only  those  who  held  the  outposts  can 
know  what  bravery  it  required  during  some  of 
those  awful  night  attacks.  Those  whosvorked 
in  the  hospital  know  what  courage  it  required 
in  the  poor  wounded  men  to  keep  on  their  beds 
when  it  seemed  as  if  the  enemy  were  break- 
ing in.  The  experiences  of  the  brave  messen- 
gers have  been  given  to  the  world ;  and  the  story 
of  the  rescue  party,  headed  by  Dr.  Morrison  of 
[88] 


Chinese  Heroism 


the  London  Times,  by  which  several  hundred 
Catholic  Christians  were  saved,  has  also  stirred 
the  hearts  of  many. 

The  brave  deed  to  which  the  writer  calls 
attention  is  known  to  but  few,  will  probably 
never  be  recorded  in  song  or  story,  and  yet  it 
took  the  truest  courage,  and  reveals  as  true 
heroism  as  was  ever  heralded  abroad.  Those 
who  have  read  the  events  of  the  past  summer 
carefully  will  remember  that  the  missionaries 
and  many  hundreds  of  converts  were  in  semi- 
siege  at  the  M.  E.  Mission  for  twelve  days  before 
going  to  the  British  Legation.  We  had  a  guard 
of  twenty  American  marines.  The  chapel  there 
had  been  barricaded  and  was  to  be  the  place  of 
retreat  in  case  of  an  attack  from  Boxers.  Cap- 
tain Hall  had  asked  some  of  the  foreign  ladies 
to  have  charge  of  getting  the  Chinese  women 
and  children  into  the  chapel  when  the  order  was 
given.  He  also  had  told  us  we  must  impress 
upon  the  women  the  necessity  of  keeping  the 
children  perfectly  quiet.  In  case  of  an  attack 
the  crying  of  children  would  not  only  annoy  the 
soldiers,  but  might  interfere  with  their  hear- 
ing commands,  and  would  also  give  a  range  to 
the  enemy.  Much  was  said  to  the  poor  mothers 
along  this  line  because  Chinese  women,  as  a 
rule,  have  little  thought  and  less  method  in 
training  their  children. 

[893 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

June  1 3th,  about  half-past  six,  we  were 
startled  by  the  news  that  the  front  chapel  was 
in  flames;  a  moment  or  two  after  came  the 
word  for  all  women  to  get  to  the  chapel.  The 
Boxers  had  started  down  the  street  toward  the 
place  we  were  in,  but  had  been  charged  and 
driven  back  by  the  marines,  under  Captain 
Hall.  It  was  feared  that  they  might  rally  for 
another  attack  and  come  with  a  stronger  force. 
We  were  given  five  minutes  to  get  the  women 
and  children  into  the  chapel.  They  came  along 
very  quietly  and  without  any  disturbance. 

After  we  were  all  in  we  asked  the  soldiers 
on  guard  to  let  us  go  once  more  through  the 
house  set  aside  for  the  Chinese.  We  feared 
some  might  have  been  left  behind.  At  first  they 
said  no,  but  finally  gave  us  five  minutes,  and 
we  fairly  flew  from  court  to  court  and  room  to 
room.  At  last  we  reached  one  of  the  school- 
rooms, and  there  in  the  dark,  crouched  among 
the  seats,  were  two  women  and  four  little  chil- 
dren. "  Why  are  you  here,  did  you  not  get  the 
message?  Hurry,  hurry,  or  we  shall  be  too 
late ! "  were  our  questions  and  exclamations. 
"  Yes,"  they  said,  "  we  did,  but  we  were  afraid 
our  children  would  cry  and  endanger  all  the 
others.  Our  babies  are  sick  and  cry  all  the 
time  and  we  thought  it  better  that  we  die  out- 
side than  to  make  others  suffer  with  us."  It 
[90] 


Chinese  Heroism 


took  but  a  moment  to  get  the  story,  get  them 
out  from  under  the  seat,  and  on  the  way  to  the 
chapel.  We  promised  to  help  them  with  their 
little  ones  and  their  look  of  gratitude  was  most 
touching.  The  fathers  of  these  children  were 
out  protecting  the  courts,  and  the  two  brave 
women  were  ready  to  die  rather  than  seek 
shelter  when  in  so  doing  they  might  endanger 
and  bring  disaster  upon  others.  When  they  de- 
cided to  stay  outside  they  were  as  true  martyrs 
as  any  who  went  to  the  block.  They  gave  up 
their  lives  in  order,  as  they  thought,  to  save 
others.  "  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this." 

"  For  such  Death's  portal  opens  not  in  gloom, 
But  its  pure  crystal,  hinged  on  solid  gold, 
Shows  avenues  interminable — shows 
Amaranth  and  palm  quivering  in  sweet  accord 
Of  human,  mingled  with  angelic,  song." 


LITERARY  GLORY 

"  Give  me  the  grace  to  bear  my  burden  so 

That  men  may  learn  the  secret  of  my  power, 

And  meet  each  trouble  with  their  face  aglow, 
And  voice  their  praises  in  the  midnight  hour; 

For  when  our  helplessness  cries  unto  thee, 
Thy  power  descends  in  Christ  to  set  us  free." 

FROM  of  old  the  scholars  and  writers  of 
all  lands  have  desired  and  sought  for 
literary  glory,  and  have  considered  it  far 
more  precious  than  gold  or  gems.  In  no  coun- 
try has  this  been  more  true  than  in  China. 
Some  of  the  greatest  of  this  land  have  passed 
through  much  privation  and  suffering  to  at- 
tain this  end.  It  is  not  of  one  of  these  I  wish 
to  write. 

"  Literary  Glory  "  was  the  name  of  a  young 
girl  who  entered  the  Bridgman  School  twelve 
years  ago.  She  was  a  bright,  pleasant  girl,  and 
had  many  friends.  She  was  a  good  student 
and  during  the  years  of  her  school  life  her 
teachers  came  to  see  there  was  in  her  the 
making  of  a  strong,  true  woman.  She  was 
engaged  to  a  young  man  of  good  character, 
but  neither  he  nor  his  family  had  any  interest 
in  Christianity. 

Seven  years  ago  she  left  her  school  home  for 

[92] 


Literary  Glory 

the  home  of  her  husband  who  lived  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Lu  T'ai,  fifteen  miles  northeast  of  Pe- 
king. A  year  ago  the  writer  visited  her  in  her 
village  and  at  night  shared  the  same  room.  It 
was  a  wonderful  story  she  told  as  she  poured 
out  her  heart  to  her  friend.  Would  you  could 
have  heard  it.  I  give  it  to  you  as  best  I  can 
remember.  She  said,  "  When  I  went  to  my 
husband's  home  I  made  up  my  mind  that  I 
would  work  and  pray  with  all  my  might  to 
bring  him  and  his  mother  to  know  and  love 
Jesus.  God  only  knows  what  I  had  to  endure. 
I  was  so  homesick  for  my  school  friends,  so 
longed  to  go  to  church  and  prayer-meeting. 
There  was  only  one  other  Christian  in  the  place 
and  he  was  away  most  of  the  time.  The  day 
after  I  was  married  my  husband  took  all  my 
books  and  cards  and  put  them  in  the  fire.  I 
did  not  dare  let  him  see  me  cry,  but  in  the 
dead  of  night  I  poured  it  all  out  to  God  and 
was  comforted." 

"  In  this  home  I  have  been  but  a  servant  to 
his  grandmother,  mother,  and  sisters,  but  my 
reward  has  come  to  me  because  they  all  love 
me,  and  my  husband  and  his  mother  have  be- 
come Christians.  I  have  had  to  work  very  hard 
from  early  morning  till  late  at  night.  In  sum- 
mer time  I  have  worked  all  day,  ploughing, 
spading,  hoeing,  and  cutting  the  grain.  Five 

[93] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

years  ago,  during  the  heavy  rains,  our  house 
fell  down  and  we  were  too  poor  to  hire  enough 
men  to  rebuild,  so  I  helped  make  the  mud  bricks 
and  when  they  came  to  building  the  walls  I 
sent  up  to  them  all  the  mud  and  plaster  used. 
With  my  own  hands  I  plastered  the  inside  walls 
and  cleaned  up  the  court,  but,"  said  the  dear 
girl  as  she  took  my  hand,  "  it  is  such  a  joy  now 
and  God  has  been  good  to  me." 

Much  more  we  said  in  the  hours  of  the  night. 
How  my  heart  ached  as  she  told  me  how  she 
had  longed  with  such  a  longing  for  Christian 
fellowship  and  companionship.  She  talked  of 
her  school  life,  and  the  comfort  she  had  as  she 
recalled  what  she  had  learned.  She  was  teach- 
ing her  two  little  sisters,  hoping  they  could  go 
up  to  the  Bridgman  School. 

Little  did  either  of  us  dream  how  short  the 
earthly  joy  was  to  be,  or  how  soon  the  Heavenly 
reward  was  to  begin.  Very  early  the  next 
morning  she  was  up  helping  to  get  breakfast, 
and  from  her  mother-in-law  and  a  neighbour 
who  came  in  I  heard  much  that  filled  my  heart 
with  joy  and  pride.  The  mother  said,  "  When 
I  heard  the  girl  my  son  was  engaged  to  was  a 
Christian  and  in  school  I  was  very  angry  and 
wanted  to  break  off  the  engagement.  I  looked 
with  great  dread  upon  her  coming  to  us;  but 
I  want  to  tell  you,  she  is  the  best  daughter-in- 

[94] 


Literary  Glory 

law  in  the  place.  In  all  these  years  we  have  not 
had  a  single  quarrel  and  that  cannot  be  said  of 
any  other  family.  My  youngest  children  love 
her  and  mind  her  better  than  they  do  me.  I 
thought  she  would  want  to  read  all  the  time  and 
so  had  my  son  burn  her  books.  I  thought  she 
would  be  above  farm  work,  and  all  these  years 
she  has  worked  so  hard  and  with  never  one 
word  of  complaint.  One  year  we  lost  all  our 
crops  and  in  the  winter  had  to  send  to  the  mar- 
ket town,  six  miles  away,  for  the  famine  relief 
grain.  She  had  to  go  early,  walk  there  and 
back,  and  carry  our  portion.  She  did  not  have 
any  warm  clothes  that  winter,  but  she  did  not 
say  anything." 

"  Yes,"  chimed  in  the  neighbour,  "  I  had  to 
go  too  that  winter,  and  your  Wen  Jung  (Liter- 
ary Glory)  was  so  modest  and  ladylike,  never 
pushing  or  crowding,  that  the  official  asked  who 
she  was  and  gave  her  more  grain."  Again  the 
mother-in-law  said,  "  When  I  saw  how  she 
endured  the  hardships,  always  so  strong  and 
true,  I  knew  it  must  be  her  religion,  for  I  too 
have  been  a  daughter-in-law.  She  is  always 
kind  to  the  old  grandmother,  who  has  a  terrible 
temper.  I  have  known  Wen  Jung  to  stay  up  all 
night  to  make  her  a  pair  of  shoes.  Yes,  my 
daughter-in-law  is  the  only  one  of  the  family 
who  has  not  felt  her  stick  or  been  reviled  by 

[951 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

her.  When  I  saw  how  her  God  helped  her  I 
just  wanted  to  know  Him.  Now  for  months 
Wen  Jung  has  had  evening  prayers  and  has 
taught  me  to  pray." 

It  was  so  delightful  to  sit  there  and  hear  all 
these  sweet  things  of  one  of  our  schoolgirls. 
It  was  a  joy  to  see  her  pride  in  her  poor  home 
where  everything  was  very  clean  and  neat,  and 
as  she  moved  about  getting  breakfast  I  thanked 
God  for  this  "  new  woman  "  in  China.  With 
what  loving  care  she  waited  on  us.  How  she 
did  want  to  show  her  love;  later  on,  when 
the  neighbouring  women  came  in  for  a  little 
service  she  came  and  sat  with  her  arms  about 
me.  I  said  to  the  women,  "  She  is  our  girl 
student  and  we  love  her."  "  Yes,"  said  some 
one,  "  she  is  always  talking  about  her  foreign 
friends.  For  years  we  have  wanted  to  see  you. 
You  may  be  proud  of  her,  she  is  the  best  daugh- 
ter-in-law in  the  place."  About  noon  I  left, 
promising  to  visit  her  on  my  return  from  the 
place  I  was  going  to  visit  and  hold  a  station 
class. 

Alas !  the  death  of  a  member  of  our  station 
called  me  to  Peking  by  the  shortest  road,  and 
the  next  month  the  Boxer  storm  burst  upon  us. 
After  the  fury  was  spent  and  we  could  get  news 
of  those  distant  from  us,  we  found  that  nine  of 
the  ten  who  belonged  to  us  in  that  place  had 
[96] 


Literary  Glory 

been  cut  down.  The  Boxers  came  at  sunrise 
one  beautiful  morning  in  June  and  the  mother- 
in-law  was  killed  at  once  in  her  own  room. 
"  Literary  Glory  "  ran  out  of  the  house  and  out 
into  a  field,  but  was  overtaken  and  most  bru- 
tally hacked  to  pieces.  Her  husband  was  taken 
to  a  temple,  tried,  and  beheaded.  Brave,  true- 
hearted,  humble  "  Literary  Glory."  If  ever  any 
one  heard  the  "  well  done "  she  did.  She 
gained  two  souls  for  the  Master  she  loved  and 
left  a  name  that  will  be  fragrant  for  long  years 
in  that  village.  Faithful  in  the  small  things,  she 
filled  the  cup  to  overflowing  by  giving  her  life. 
What  is  her  "  new  name  "  up  there,  think  you  ? 
Is  it  "  Heavenly  Glory  "  ?  My  young  readers 
who  have  given  your  money  for  Bridgman 
School  and  helped  to  educate  this  dear  girl, 
does  the  result  of  your  investment  satisfy  you? 
Can  you  not  say  with  her,  "  My  reward  has 
come  to  me,  God  has  been  very  good  to  me  "  ? 

"  We  take  with  solemn  thankfulness 
Our  burden  up,  nor  ask  it  less ; 
And  count  it  joy  that  even  we 
May  suffer,  serve  or  wait  for  thee. 
Thy  will  be  done." 


[97] 


HOW  THE  DOG  AND  CAT  CAME  TO  BE 
ENEMIES 

OF  the  thousand  and  one  stories  the  old 
women  of  China  love  to  tell  their  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren,  none  is  so 
great  a  favourite  as  the  one,  "  How  the  dog  and 
cat  came  to  be  enemies  for  all  time."  The  little 
black  eyes  grow  bright  as  diamonds  as  they 
listen,  and  no  bedtime  story  of  Mother  Goose 
of  Western  lands  is  more  treasured.  Let  me 
tell  you  the  story,  and  as  you  listen  possibly  you 
can  see  the  dear  little  children  of  the  great 
flowery  kingdom,  many  of  them  looking  like 
little  flowers  gathered  about  some  old  grandma 
who  loves  and  pets  them  as  do  the  grandmas  of 
all  lands. 

In  the  long,  long  ago  there  lived  in  the  coun- 
try a  poor  widow  who  had  only  one  son;  but 
he  was  very  kind  and  good  to  her,  working 
early  and  late  to  support  her.  She  was  his  one 
thought,  but  with  all  his  efforts  it  was  but  a 
poor  living  that  he  could  give  her,  and  it  was 
a  great  sorrow  to  him.  One  day  the  gods  said, 
"  Such  a  son  must  be  helped ;  "  so  after  talking 
the  matter  over,  one  of  them,  dressed  as  a  tem- 
ple priest,  went  to  their  gate  and  knocked.  The 
[98] 


How  the  Dog  and  Cat  Were  Enemies 

widow  came  and  opened  the  gate,  but  seeing  the 
guest,  she  said,  "  Too  bad,  too  bad.  I  am  so 
poor  I  cannot  give  you  any  help  to-day."  To 
this  the  priest  replied,  "  I  have  not  come  to  get 
your  help  but  to  help  you."  When  the  woman 
heard  this,  she  said,  "  I  never  heard  of  such  a 
thing."  The  priest  said,  "  It  is  a  fact,  and  I 
now  give  you  this  gold  ornament.  When  you 
wish  to  cook  a  meal  you  put  this  in  the  kettle, 
put  on  the  cover,  light  your  fire,  and  then  re- 
peat to  the  kettle  several  times  what  you  want 
to  eat.  When  the  water  boils  the  food  is  ready ; 
take  off  the  cover  and  eat,  and  you  and  your  son 
be  happy."  With  his  joyful  but  incredible  news 
he  was  gone.  The  old  lady  looked  at  the  gold 
ornament  in  her  hand,  thought  of  what  had 
been  said  to  her,  and  wondered  if  she  was  asleep 
and  it  was  all  a  dream.  To  make  sure,  she 
said,  "  I  will  try  this  charm  and  see  if  it  will 
work  or  if  the  priest  has  lied  to  me;  I  want 
some  meat  dumplings  for  supper."  She  put  on 
her  kettle,  lighted  her  fire,  and  then  repeated 
over  and  over  again  till  the  water  boiled,  "  I 
want  dumplings,  meat  dumplings.  Come, 
dumplings,  come."  When  the  water  boiled  she 
took  off  the  cover,  and  behold  the  kettle  was 
full  of  the  most  delicious-looking  dumplings. 
"  Ah,"  she  said,  "  what  good  fortune  is  mine, 
what  good  fortune  is  mine !  "  Never  had  she 
[99] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

tasted  such  food  in  all  her  poor  life.  After 
eating  all  she  could,  she  fed  the  cat  and  dog, 
and  they,  too,  were  wild  with  delight.  How 
their  sides  filled  out,  and  they  jumped  upon  her 
to  express  their  thanks.  "  Now,"  said  she,  "  I 
will  get  my  son  a  good  supper,"  and  again  she 
repeated  the  process.  When  he  came  home 
looking  so  tired,  she  said,  "  I  have  a  good  sup- 
per for  you  to-night,  my  son;  all  you  want  and 
more."  "  A  good  supper,"  thought  he;  "  how 
can  that  be,  since  all  we  ever  have  is  millet  and 
cornmeal  ?  "  But  to  his  mother  he  said,  "  Noth- 
ing you  make  is  bad ;  it  all  tastes  good."  When 
she  took  the  cover  off  and  told  him  to  look,  he 
could  hardly  believe  his  eyes.  He  had  seen  such 
food  but  never  tasted  it.  The  mother  said, 
"  Son,  eat,  and  I  will  tell  you  all  about  our  good 
luck."  When  she  had  concluded  her  story  she 
showed  him  the  golden  ornament.  "  It  is  from 
the  gods,  my  mother,  and  they  have  taken  pity 
on  you.  I  am  indeed  a  happy  son." 

After  this,  day  by  day,  the  mother  and  son 
and  the  household  cat  and  dog  had  plenty  to 
eat  and  all  was  happiness  in  the  little  family. 

One  day  some  relatives  came  to  call,  and  the 
old  lady  urged  them  to  stay  and  eat  with  them. 
They  refused  at  first,  as  they  thought  they 
could  not  provide  anything  worth  eating,  but 
finally,  at  the  old  lady's  most  earnest  request, 
[100] 


How  the  Dog  and  Cat  Were  Enemies 

they  consented.  Such  a  feast  of  good  things 
as  she  prepared  for  them;  how  surprised  they 
were !  They  exclaimed  again  and  again  at  the 
delicate  flavour  of  everything,  and  the  quick 
time  in  which  she  had  prepared  them.  At 
last  one  of  them  asked  how  she  could 
afford  to  provide  such  expensive  food, 
and  the  old  lady  in  pride  of  heart  brought 
forth  her  treasure  and  told  her  secret 
to  the  guests.  They  were  filled  with  envy, 
and  later  on,  one  day  when  the  old  lady 
was  away  from  home,  one  of  them  went  into 
her  room  and  stole  the  precious  charm.  Only 
the  dog  was  in  the  room,  and  though  he  saw, 
he  did  not  know  how  great  the  loss  was.  When 
the  mistress  came  home  and  went  to  get  her 
son's  supper,  she  discovered  her  loss.  She  was 
filled  with  great  sorrow  and  distress.  When 
her  son  returned  she  told  him,  and  together  they 
looked  everywhere.  The  old  lady  wept  most 
bitterly  and  refused  to  be  comforted.  The  cat 
and  dog  came  and  begged  for  their  supper,  but 
she  paid  no  attention  to  them.  After  that  they 
had  to  eat  millet  and  cornmeal  again,  and  hard 
indeed  it  was,  as  they  had  become  used  to  good 
food.  The  cat  and  dog  grew  thin  and  refused 
the  poor  food.  Finally  the  dog  concluded  that 
the  reason  was  because  the  bright,  pretty  orna- 
ment their  mistress  always  put  in  the  kettle  was 
[101] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

no  longer  used  and  must  be  lost,  and  that  was 
why  the  mistress  cried  so  much.  Then  he  re- 
membered the  neighbour  who  came  and  went 
into  the  closet,  and  came  out  after  a  while  with 
the  treasure  in  his  hand,  and  how  he  saw  him 
put  it  in  his  pocket.  The  dog  then  called  the 
cat  and  told  her  all,  but  said,  "  Alas !  I  am  but  a 
dog.  I  cannot  get  it,  but  you  can,  for  you  are 
able  to  get  on  the  roofs  of  houses  and  crawl  in 
windows,  and  you  must  get  it."  When  the  cat 
heard  where  it  was,  she  said,  "  But  the  river, 
how  can  I  get  across  the  river?"  to  which  he 
replied,  "  I  can  swim,  and  when  you  come  to 
the  bank  you  get  on  my  back  and  I  will  take 
you  across."  So  together  they  went.  When 
they  reached  the  river  the  cat  jumped  on  the 
dog's  back  and  he  took  her  over  safely.  Then 
he  said,  "  I  will  wait  here  for  you  while  you 
go  to  the  house  for  our  mistress'  treasure." 

Over  the  roofs  and  along  fences  the  cat 
went  till  she  came  to  the  right  house;  then  she 
found  a  window  open,  and  walking  in  she  curled 
down  in  a  warm  place  to  take  note  of  what  was 
going  on  and  to  make  her  plans.  After  a  time 
she  spied  a  rathole,  and  going  over  to  it  she 
waited  patiently  till  a  big  mouse  came  out ;  then 
she  sprang  upon  it  and  held  it  fast.  How  the 
poor  thing  plead  for  its  life!  The  cat  said, 
"  Mouse,  I  will  save  your  life  if  you  will  do  me 
[  102  ] 


How  the  Dog  and  Cat  Were  Enemies 

a  favour."  The  mouse  promised  gladly,  and 
the  cat  told  of  the  lost  treasure  and  that  it  was 
in  the  house.  The  mouse  said,  "  I  know  about 
that;  every  day  the  family  eat  good  food;  let 
me  go  and  I  will  get  it  for  you."  "  No,"  said 
the  cat,  "  I  cannot  let  you  go,  for  you  would 
not  come  back.  I  will  hold  you  closely,  but  you 
call  your  companions  and  tell  them  where  it  is, 
and  when  they  bring  it  I  will  let  you  go."  Then 
the  mouse  called  out  and  all  the  mice  came  run- 
ning, and  when  told  what  to  do,  away  they  went 
in  search  of  the  gold  ornament.  After  a  time 
they  came  back  with  it  and  the  poor  mouse  was 
allowed  to  go,  while  the  cat  made  her  way  back 
to  the  riverside  with  the  ornament  in  her 
mouth. 

She  found  the  dog  waiting  for  her,  and  when 
he  saw  the  treasure  in  her  mouth  he  barked 
and  jumped  for  joy.  Before  she  got  on  his 
back  he  said  to  her,  "  We  are  both  very  hun- 
gry; now,  if  in  going  over  the  river  you  see  a 
fish  or  anything  good  to  eat,  don't  try  to  get  it, 
for  if  you  do  you  will  drop  the  treasure."  This 
he  repeated  once  and  again  and  they  started 
for  the  other  side.  Just  before  reaching  the 
other  side  a  fish  jumped  up  in  the  cat's  face, 
and  before  she  thought,  she  made  a  grab  for 
it  and  so  lost  the  ornament  in  the  river.  How 
the  dog  did  scold  and  howl  then;  he  was  so 
[103] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

hungry,  and  such  visions  of  a  good  supper  had 
filled  his  eyes  all  the  way  over.  The  cat  was  so 
sorry,  and  promised  she  would  think  of  a  way 
to  get  it  if  only  he  would  not  bark  so  loudly. 
Looking  around  she  saw  a  big  frog  who  looked 
very  friendly,  and  to  her  she  told  all  her  trou- 
bles and  said,  "  I  know  you  like  to  do  good 
deeds  of  mercy,  so  please  help  me."  The  frog 
agreed  and  jumped  into  the  river,  and  after  a 
little  returned  with  the  lost  charm.  Then  after 
thanking  the  frog,  the  cat  and  dog  started 
home;  so  happy  were  they  they  could  not  get 
over  the  ground  fast  enough.  The  cat  mewed 
at  the  door,  and  when  the  old  lady  opened  it 
and  saw  her  with  the  lost  treasure,  she  caught 
her  up,  made  a  big  fuss  over  her,  took  her  in 
the  house,  and  shut  the  door,  thus  leaving  the 
dog  out  in  the  court ;  as  she  did  not  know  how 
much  he  had  helped  the  cat,  she  did  not  pay 
any  attention  to  him. 

Soon  a  big  supper  was  ready,  and  once  again 
the  mother  and  son  were  happy.  This  time 
in  their  gratitude  they  fed  the  cat  first,  all  she 
could  eat,  but  forgot  the  dog,  so  absorbed  were 
they  in  their  own  supper  and  in  planning  a 
good,  safe  hiding-place  for  the  most  precious 
charm.  After  a  little  the  cat  went  out  into  the 
yard,  and  seeing  the  poor,  hungry  dog,  she 
told  him  with  great  pride  of  all  the  good  things 
[104] 


How  the  Dog  and  Cat  Were  Enemies 

she  had  had  to  eat,  and  the  nice  things  the 
family  had  promised  her.  "  There  is  nothing 
left  for  you,"  said  the  cat,  "  and  if  you  are 
hungry  you  had  better  fly  around  and  find  a 
bone."  When  the  dog  heard  this  he  sprang 
upon  her  and  bit  her  so  she  died  immediately. 
Then  he  went  and  told  all  the  dogs  about  it. 
When  they  heard  the  story  they  were  most  in- 
dignant at  such  ingratitude,  and  then  and  there 
took  a  solemn  vow  of  eternal  enmity  to  the 
cats  for  all  time  to  come.  Thus  they  have  kept 
their  vow,  and  to  this  day  in  all  lands  the  dog 
is  the  enemy  of  the  cat. 


[105] 


A  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  PRESENT 

IN  Manchuria,  not  far  from  Mukden,  lived 
a  well-to-do  farmer  by  the  name  of  Lee. 
For  some  years  the  country  had  been  much 
troubled  by  mounted  banditti  who  terrorized 
the  people,  stealing  from  them  right  and  left. 

Mr.  Lee  called  his  neighbours  together  and 
after  talking  over  the  existing  conditions,  they 
bound  themselves  together  to  act  as  watchmen 
and  resist  the  thieves  even  to  the  death. 

Mr.  Lee  then  went  to  the  neighbouring  vil- 
lages and  helped  them  to  form  little  companies 
of  volunteers  for  the  same  purpose.  This,  in 
time,  reached  the  ears  of  the  robbers,  and  they 
laid  their  plans  accordingly. 

One  night  in  the  midst  of  the  autumn  har- 
vest, while  the  farmers  were  celebrating  with 
wine  and  music  the  "  harvest  festival,"  the 
bandits  came  upon  the  village.  Mr.  Lee  called 
his  followers  together  and  a  great  fight  took 
place  in  the  moonlight.  At  last  the  robbers 
set  fire  to  several  houses  in  the  village,  and 
after  stealing  all  they  could  carry  away  with 
them,  departed. 

Every  one  was  left  weeping — grain  and 
clothing  gone,  and  some  with  their  homes  in 
[106] 


A  Daughter  of  the  Present 

ashes.  Every  one  was  so  busy  with  his  own 
losses  that  it  was  daylight  before  it  was  known 
that  Mr.  Lee  was  missing.  After  much  search- 
ing in  the  fields  and  at  the  near  villages,  they 
decided  that  he  must  have  been  taken  captive 
and  carried  to  the  robbers'  stronghold  in  the 
mountains. 

Now,  Mr.  Lee  had  a  little  daughter,  thirteen 
years  old,  called  "  Jade."  She  was  devoted 
to  her  father,  and  his  constant  companion. 
When,  as  the  day  wore  on,  he  did  not  return 
she  refused  to  be  comforted.  She  pleaded  with 
her  mother  and  brothers  to  go  with  her  to  the 
neighbours  and  get  them  to  form  a  rescue 
party,  but  the  neighbours  were  so  full  of  their 
own  losses  and  fearful  of  another  visit  from 
the  robbers  that  they  refused.  They  said,  "  If 
we  go,  we  shall  certainly  be  captured,  and  either 
killed  or  held  for  a  big  ransom." 

Little  Jade  and  her  family  knew  it  would  do 
no  good  to  appeal  to  the  magistrate,  as  such 
raids  were  frequent,  and  nothing  was  done  to 
prevent  or  punish;  and  all  the  family  but  the 
little  daughter  made  up  their  minds  that  noth- 
ing could  be  done,  and  they  must  await  what- 
ever the  gods  had  in  store  for  them. 

"  Not  so,"  thought  little  Jade;  "  I  will  either 
save  my  father  or  die  with  him."  Without 
saying  anything  to  the  other  members  of  the 
[107] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

family  she  learned  from  questioning  the  vil- 
lagers the  location  of  the  "  Tigers'  Nest,"  as 
the  fastness  of  the  thieves  was  called.  She 
then  started  off  alone  and  after  miles  of  weary 
walking  she  reached  the  place  at  nightfall.  She 
made  direct  for  the  cave  and  prostrating  her- 
self before  the  entrance  she  began  to  weep  and 
wail  for  her  father.  The  robbers  came  and 
looked  fiercely  at  her.  How  she  pleaded  with 
those  hard-hearted  men!  They  offered  her 
food  and  money  to  go  away;  but  she  only 
pleaded  the  harder.  They  then  became  angry 
and  tried  to  drive  her  away.  For  two  days 
and  nights  she  knelt  in  front  of  the  cave;  she 
would  neither  eat  nor  sleep.  Many  of  the  rob- 
bers were  fathers  and  their  hearts  grew  tender 
toward  the  little  maid  as  hour  after  hour  her 
wail  fell  upon  their  ears,  and  they  saw  her  little 
face  swollen  and  drawn  with  long  weeping  and 
fasting. 

At  last  the  robber  captain  could  endure  it 
no  longer,  and  after  one  final  effort  to  drive 
her  away,  he  commanded  that  Mr.  Lee  be  set 
free,  and  -that  he  and  his  little  daughter  be 
escorted  beyond  the  hill  region  by  the  robber 
band.  At  the  close  of  the  fourth  day  they  ar- 
rived at  their  home,  where  there  was  great  re- 
joicing and  much  praise  for  brave  little  Jade. 

When  Jade  was  seventeen  the  young  man  she 
[108] 


A  Daughter  of  the  Present 

was  engaged  to  marry  died  and  she  took  the 
vow  of  "  widowhood,"  and  also  that  she  would 
help  support  the  aged  father  and  mother  of  her 
betrothed.  Although  she  had  never  seen  any 
of  the  family  this  was  considered  very  meritori- 
ous in  Jade,  and  she  was  held  up  as  a  model 
girl  to  all  others  in  the  region. 

She  took  in  sewing  and  embroidery  and  the 
money  she  thus  earned  was  sent  to  the  old 
people.  She  is  at  present  living  near  Mukden, 
and  it  is  rumoured  that  she  -is  to  be  one  of  the 
teachers  in  a  girls'  school  to  be  opened  in  that 
city. 


[109] 


TANG  SUNG'S  JOURNEY  TO  GET  THE 
BUDDHIST  CLASSICS 

IN  the  year  629  A.D.,  a  very  devout  monk, 
T'ang  Sung,  hoping  to  achieve  merit  by 
which  he  might  avoid  death  and  that  he 
might  become  one  of  the  Eternal  Holy  Ones, 
accepted  the  proposal  of  his  Emperor  that  he 
should  go  to  the  west  in  search  of  the  famous 
Buddhist  Classics. 

Alone  he  set  out  on  his  journey  to  the  Yellow 
River  where  the  caravans  to  India  were  wont 
to  form.  On  his  way  he  met  a  wonderful 
monkey.  The  monkey  asked  the  priest  where 
he  was  going,  and  on  being  told,  decided  that 
he  would  go  along  with  the  good  priest !  "  But 
what  can  you  do  ?  Why  should  you  go  ? " 
asked  the  monk. 

The  monkey  replied,  "  I  am  a  famous 
jumper.  With  one  jump  I  can  touch  the 
heavens;  I  can  walk  on  water  and  on  the  air; 
I  can  change  myself  into  seventy- two  different 
shapes."  After  some  more  conversation  the 
monk  consented  to  the  company  of  the  monkey, 
and  giving  him  the  name  Sun  Hou,  he 
fastened  a  string  to  his  neck  and  started  on  his 
way.  The  monkey  was  very  changeful  in  his 
[no] 


T'ang  Sung's  Journey 


disposition  and  the  monk  had  a  hard  time 
making  him  mind.  After  going  a  few  miles 
he  met  a  holy  man  who  said,  "If  he  does  not 
mind  you  I  will  tell  you  something  to  say  to 
him  which  will  make  his  head  ache,  and  he  will 
go  quietly  with  you."  Going  along  a  few 
more  miles  they  met  a  pig,  and  on  hearing 
from  the  monkey  where  they  were  going, 
said  he  also  would  go  and  help  find  the 
books. 

!<  What  can  you  do  to  help?"  asked  T'ang 
Sung? 

"  I  can  catch  thieves  and  have  power  to  do 
many  strange  things,"  was  the  reply;  "and 
the  only  trouble  with  me  is  that  I  walk  slowly." 
The  monk  considered  the  question,  and  as  he 
did  not  like  to  be  unkind  to  a  pig  said  he  could 
go.  Afterward  on  the  road  they  met  a  very 
stupid  simple  priest,  and  he  plead  so  hard  to 
be  allowed  to  join  the  party  .that  the  monk 
also  consented;  thus  the  four  travelled  slowly 
along  until  they  met  a  white  horse.  He  asked 
the  errand  of  the  strange  company,  and  after 
hearing  the  story,  said  he  also  would  go  and 
T'ang  Sung  might  ride  him.  The  foolish  priest 
carried  the  baggage,  the  pig  carried  the  gun, 
and  the  monkey  was  sent  on  ahead  to  make  all 
the  arrangements. 

On  the   road   to   India  they   had   to  pass 
[in] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

seventy-two  caves,  where  demons  lived,  who 
were  ever  on  the  watch  for  travellers. 

One  day  they  travelled  till  night;  all  day 
they  had  been  without  food,  and  as  darkness 
came  on  and  no  village  was  in  sight  the  mon- 
key said,  "  I  will  jump  and  see  where  a  village 
is."  He  gave  a  great  jump  and  saw  they  were 
not  far  from  a  village;  he  heard  a  great  noise 
which  frightened  him;  he  gave  another  jump 
and  saw  the  village  was  on  the  bank  of  a  great 
river  eight  hundred  yards  wide.  The  monkey 
returned  and  got  his  companions  and  led  them 
to  the  home  of  the  rich  man  of  the  village. 

He  struck  the  bell  the  priest  carried,  and 
the  servants,  on  opening  the  gate  and  seeing 
the  queer  procession,  were  very  much  fright- 
ened. Sun  Hou  said,  "  Don't  be  afraid.  We 
are  from  the  Emperor,  and  going  to  India  to 
get  the  sacred  books  of  the  great  Buddha.  We 
want  something  to  eat  and  a  place  to  sleep,  as 
we  are  very  weary." 

The  owner  of  the  place  replied,  "  I  am  able 
to  give  what  you  ask,  but  not  to-night  as  I  am 
in  great  trouble." 

"  What  is  it  ?  Perhaps  /  can  help  you,"  said 
the  monkey. 

Then  said  the  rich  man,  "  For  long  years  a 
terrible  demon  has  lived  in  the  river  and  every 
year  we  have  to  prepare  a  young  boy  and  a 

[112] 


T'ang  Sung's  Journey 


young  girl  as  an  offering  for  him  or  he  will 
destroy  the  village  by  causing  the  river  to  over- 
flow. To-night  is  the  yearly  sacrifice  and  it 
falls  on  me.  I  am  a  large  householder,  but  I 
have  only  one  little  boy  and  one  little  girl, 
and  my  heart  is  breaking  with  my  grief,  but  I 
must  give  them  up  to  save  the  lives  of  the  many 
in  the  village."  Sun  Hou  said,  after  a  mo- 
ment's thought,  "  Don't  be  anxious.  I  have 
a  plan.  Get  us  something  to  eat." 

After  eating,  Sun  Hou  commanded  that 
the  children  should  be  brought  into  the  room. 
After  looking  at  them  Sun  Hou  said  to  the 
pig,  "  You  impersonate  the  girl  and  I  will  the 
boy;  "  the  pig  shook  himself  three  times,  and 
the  father  said,  "  Well  done."  Soon  after  the 
procession,  which  had  been  forming  in  the  vil- 
age,  came  for  them,  with  drums  beating  and 
banners  flying.  They  carried  the  supposed 
children  to  the  temple  on  the  river  bank. 
Cooked  chicken  was  placed  on  the  table,  the  in- 
cense lighted,  then  all  went  out  and  the  door 
was  locked. 

Then  when  all  was  quiet  Sun  Hou  said  to 
the  pig,  "  You  take  one  side  and  I  will  the 
other  and  don't  be  afraid."  About  midnight 
there  was  the  sound  of  a  great  wind,  and  then 
Sun  Hou  said,  "  Be  careful,  the  demon,  Yao 
Ching,  is  coming."  Immediately  the  door 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

opened  and  a  great  fishlike  being  came  into  the 
temple.  They  heard  him  say,  "  In  the  past  I 
have  taken  the  boy  first,  but  to-night  I  shall  eat 
the  girl  first."  With  that  he  seized  the  girl,  who 
immediately  struck  him,  and  then,  with  the 
help  of  the  boy,  fought  a  terrible  battle  and 
injured  him  so  that  he  fled,  leaving  two  great 
fins  on  the  floor. 

The  river-demon  sought  out  the  king  of  the 
demons  and  told  him  the  story.  He  said,  "  You 
call  up  a  great  cold  wind,  bring  snow  and  ice 
and  freeze  over  the  river,  then  when  they  get 
half-way  over  the  river,  you  call  your  friends 
to  help  you  and  put  your  strength  together  and 
cause  the  ice  to  give  way  and  precipitate  them 
all  into  the  river." 

The  demon  was  pleased  with  the  plan  and  in 
three  days  the  ice  was  so  thick  that  farmers 
could  cross  in  their  carts.  All  this  time  the 
four  strange  companions  were  living  in  great 
comfort  with  the  rich  man  of  the  house,  who 
gave  them  many  rich  presents  and  much  food. 
On  the  fourth  day  they  started  on,  and  when 
they  got  to  the  middle  of  the  river  the  ice  broke 
and  all  went  into  the  water  except  the  monkey, 
who  gave  a  great  jump  and  landed  on  the  top 
of  a  high  mountain.  The  others  were  taken 
captive,  and  put  in  a  deep  cave  by  the  river- 
demon  to  wait  until  they  had  caught  Sun 

["4] 


T'ang  Sung's  Journey 


Hou,  when  all  should  be  eaten  together.  Day 
after  day,  Sun  Hou  went  down  on  the 
river  bank  and  reviled  them.  Many  were  the 
fierce  battles  they  fought  but  neither  could  get 
the  victory.  At  last  one  day  Sun  Hou  took 
a  mighty  jump  and  arrived  at  the  home  of  the 
Goddess  of  Mercy,  who  was  in  her  palace  in  the 
Southern  Sea. 

"  Ah !  "  said  she ;  "  I  knew  you  were  coming. 
I  have  waited  for  you."  She  was  making  a  fish- 
basket  of  bamboo.  When  she  heard  his  trou- 
bles she  said,  "  Wait.  I  am  making  this  great 
fish-basket  to  catch  him  in.  He  used  to  live  in 
my  sea,  and  is  my  special  food  fish,  but  he  re- 
belled and  ran  away  and  for  many  years  has 
lived  in  the  great  river.  You  go  back  and  call 
him  and  fight  again,  and  I  will  come  and  get 
him  in  my  basket."  In  the  terrible  battle  which 
followed  the  Goddess  of  Mercy  let  from 
Heaven  a  basket  and  took  him  in  and  up  to 
Heaven. 

Then  Sun  Hou  called  some  of  the  Heav- 
enly Soldiers  to  his  aid,  and  they  went  with 
him  and  found  his  companions  in  a  cave, 
but  alas !  the  men  could  not  swim.  While  Sun 
Hou  was  pondering,  a  big  turtle  came  along 
and  said,  "  I  knock  my  head  to  you.  You  are 
my  preserver.  Many  years  ago  this  cave  was 
mine,  but  the  river-demons  took  it,  and  now,  to 

[US] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

show  my  thanks,  if  you  will  all  get  on  my  back 
I  will  carry  you  over  the  river."  This  they  did, 
and  on  the  way  the  turtle  said,  "  You  are  going 
to  India  to  find  out  how  one  can  live  forever? 
Will  you  ask  the  merciful  Buddha  what  my 
after-life  is  to  be  like?"  Sun  Hou  prom- 
ised, and  as  they  would  need  help  in  crossing 
on  their  return  he  was  to  look  out  for 
them. 

As  they  travelled  on  they  came  to  the  coun- 
try of  Pii  Tao.  The  king  asked  them  where 
they  were  going  and  also  demanded  a  proof  of 
their  Imperial  mission.  Now,  this  king  had 
three  famous  ministers  called  Fox,  Deer,  and 
Sheep.  They  said  these  persons  must  first 
prove  their  strength  before  they  could  go  on 
their  way.  To  the  question  as  to  whether  their 
contest  was  to  be  of  military  skill  or  a  con- 
test of  mind,  the  monkey  chose  the  latter.  A 
platform  thirty  feet  high  was  built.  Then  Min- 
ister Fox  said  to  T'ang  Sung,  "  We  two  will 
go  up  there  and  see  which  can  sit  without  mov- 
ing an  eyelash  for  the  longest  time;  the  one 
who  moves  first  is  to  be  killed."  While  thus 
sitting  the  sheep  changed  himself  into  a  worm 
and  crawled  up  on  the  bald  head  of  the  priest, 
and  bit  his  head  in  many  places.  T'ang  Sung 
was  most  uncomfortable  and  his  face  showed  it. 

Now,  Sun  Hou  saw  the  look  and  so 
[116] 


T'ang  Sung's  Journey 


changed  himself  into  a  bird,  flew  up  over  the 
monk,  and  seeing  the  worm,  flew  down  and  in 
picking  it  up  saw  that  it  was  the  "  Minister 
Sheep,"  to  whom  he  said,  "If  this  is  the  trick 
I  will  show  you  what  I  can  do,"  and  changed 
himself  into  a  centipede,  and  crawled  upon 
Minister  Fox.  He  entered  his  nose,  got  into  his 
ear,  and  up  into  his  head,  and  so  distracted  did 
the  minister  become  that  he  could  not  endure 
the  pain,  and  threw  himself  from  the  platform 
and  thus  died.  When  the  "  Minister  Deer  " 
saw  the  calamity  he  said,  "  Our  great  elder 
brother  is  dead,  I  will  see  what  I  can  do,"  so 
he  said,  "  Let  us  see  who  can  cut  his  head  off, 
throw  it  away,  get  it  again  and  grow  it  on." 
Sun  Hou  said,  "  That  is  good.  It  is  not 
the  monk's  turn;  this  is  my  turn." 

Minister  Deer  asked,  "  Who  will  try  first, 
you  or  I?" 

Sun  Hou  replied,  "  I  can  cut  my  head 
off  and  grow  it  on  again  ten  times."  The  Deer 
replied,  "  I  can  only  once."  So  Sun  Hou 
said,  "  I  will  try  first,"  and  immediately  cut 
off  his  head,  upon  which  Minister  Deer  said, 
"  I  can  only  cut  mine  off  once  and  I  won't  do 
it  now." 

"  If  you  don't,  we  will  fight,"  said  Sun  Hou. 

Thus  driven,  he  cut  his  head  off,  and  the 
monkey,  changing  to  a  dog,  ran  away  with  it 

["7] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

and  was  gone  two  hours, — so  long  that  the  man 
died  also. 

Then  said  Minister  Sheep,  "  You  must  con- 
quer me  or  I  shall  kill  you." 

"Well,"  said  Sun  Hou,  "what  shall  we 
do?  You  decide." 

"  Well,"  said  the  Sheep,  "  we  will  build  a 
fire,  put  on  a  big  kettle  of  oil,  and  when  it  boils 
we  will  take  turns  in  getting  in  and  staying 
two  hours.  The  one  who  can  do  it  will  be  the 
victor." 

So  all  was  ready  and  Sun  Hou  got  in; 
before  getting  in  he  repeated  a  charm  to  the 
dragon,  who  came  and  changed  him  into  a  nail 
and  kept  the  oil  in  the  bottom  of  the  kettle 
cold  while  it  boiled  on  top.  After  two  hours 
Minister  Sheep  said,  "  He  is  dead,"  and  get- 
ting a  skimmer  he  felt  around  and  brought  out 
a  nail,  which  changed  to  a  man,  saying,  "  Ah, 
I  was  asleep;  having  such  a  good  rest.  Now 
it  is  your  turn  and  I  shall  not  sleep  any  more." 
Thus  the  Minister  Sheep  was  obliged  to  get  in. 
Then  Sun  Hou  called  the  king  and  said  to 
him,  "  Look  at  your  great  ministers ;  how  can 
you  expect  the  country  to  grow  and  improve 
when  your  three  greatest  ministers  are  such 
demons?  See  what  frauds  they  are,  and  how 
they  impose  on  you  and  the  people." 

To  this  the  king  replied,  "  I  see  you  are  great 
[118] 


T'ang  Sung's  Journey 


men  and  wonderful.  You  cannot  go  yet;  it  is 
a  famine  year  and  you  must  call  down  rain 
for  us." 

Sun  Hou  said,  "  I  will  go  to  Heaven  and 
plead  with  the  great  Lord  of  the  Heaven  (Yii 
Wang)." 

With  a  jump  he  was  in  Heaven;  to  his  peti- 
tion the  great  God  said,  "  There  is  no  rain  for 
Thibet  for  three  years."  After  much  pleading 
from  Sun  Hou  the  God  replied,  "  I  will  give 
you  two  inches  only." 

When  the  king  heard  this  he  said,  "  That  is 
not  enough,  I  must  have  more.  If  you  can  get 
two  inches  you  can  get  more,  and  then  I  will 
let  you  go."  So  Sun  Hou  said,  "  I  will  get 
you  two  feet." 

"  That  is  too  much,"  replied  the  king,  "  but 
a  little  more  than  we  need  is  no  great  matter, 
only  get  it."  When  Sun  Hou  told  the  great 
God  of  Rain,  he  said,  "  I  will  not  let  them 
say  how  much  I  am  to  give,  I  will  give 
enough." 

When  Sun  Hou  took  this  message  to  the 
king  he  thanked  them  and  let  them  go  on  their 
way,  promising  to  entertain  them  on  their  re- 
turn. 

They  went  on  their  journey ;  the  monk,  T'ang 
Sung,  riding  the  white  horse,  the  priest  pray- 
ine  and  reading.  At  night  they  came  to  the  foot 

[up] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

of  a  high  mountain  where  there  was  a  temple 
where  lived  a  demon.  This  temple  was  called 
the  "Temple  of  Thunder."  Sun  Hou  told 
the  priest  he  did  not  think  the  temple  was 
safe,  but  the  priest  said  it  must  be  because  it 
was  a  temple,  and  he  was  sure  they  would  find 
rest  and  food.  When  they  saw  the  name  of  the 
temple  they  knocked  their  heads  and  went 
slowly  forward  until  they  saw  what  seemed  a 
great  image  of  Buddha.  When  Sun  Hou 
came  close  to  it  he  said,  "  That  is  not  the 
Buddha,"  and  refused  to  knock  his  head.  Just 
then  a  voice  said,  "  Why  do  you  not  knock  your 
head  ? "  to  which  Sun  Hou  replied,  "  I  do 
not  think  you  look  like  Buddha."  Immediately 
they  heard  a  bell  strike  and  something  was  let 
down  from  above  and  enveloped  them  in  dark- 
ness. Sun  Hou  felt  of  it;  it  was  hard  like 
copper.  They  walked  all  around  it  but  could 
not  get  out.  They  exerted  all  their  combined 
strength  but  could  not  remove  the  darkness. 
Then  Sun  Hou  repeated  his  wonderful  charm 
and  twenty-eight  soldiers  from  the  great 
lord  of  the  Heaven  suddenly  came  in  the  shape 
of  a  great  cow.  Sun  Hou  called  to  him 
to  make  a  hole  with  his  horn;  this  he  did,  but 
when  he  pulled  out  his  horn  the  hole  closed  up ; 
again  he  did  it,  and  Sun  Hou  changed  into 
a  mustard  seed  and  was  pulled  out  by  the  cow. 

[120] 


T'ang  Sung's  Journey 


Then  he  let  the  soldiers  out  of  the  iron  cow — 
and  the  great  demon  got  a  great  string  and 
bound  them  and  put  them  in  a  cave.  Sun 
Hou  gradually  grew  smaller  and  his  rope 
loosened  and  he  escaped;  with  one  jump  he 
reached  Heaven  and  brought  down  many  sol- 
diers from  the  great  God.  When  the  great  de- 
mon saw  them  he  said,  "  I  am  not  afraid  of  you, 
even  if  you  are  from  Heaven.  I  will  yet  eat 
you." 

Among  the  Heavenly  Soldiers  was  one  very 
great  one,  and  he  wore  a  wheel  of  iron  on  one 
foot  and  a  wheel  of  wind  on  the  other;  on  his 
wrist  was  a  beautiful  bracelet  and  he  wore  a 
Heavenly  chain.  A  terrible  battle  was  fought 
in  the  air  between  the  soldiers  of  the  demons 
and  the  Heavenly  band.  The  great  demon 
threw  up  his  charmed  lasso  and  brought  down 
the  bracelet,  and  again,  and  brought  down  the 
chain.  Then  Sun  Hou  saw  him  lasso  all 
the  Heavenly  Soldiers,  and  just  as  the  string 
was  to  envelope  him  he  gave  a  jump  and  turned 
a  somersault — and  landed  on  top  of  a  moun- 
tain. There  he  gave  himself  up  to  despair  in 
a  cave.  Along  came  a  man  who  asked  why  he 
was  crying  and  he  said,  "  I  promised  to  take  a 
monk  to  India  and  to  protect  him.  He  and  his 
companions  are  bound  and  in  a  cave.  I  got 
twenty-eight  servants  from  the  great  God, 

[121] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

they  are  also  bound;  and  now  all  the  Heav- 
enly Soldiers  have  been  defeated  and  are 
bound." 

"You  are  too  impatient,"  replied  the  man. 
"  Do  you  not  remember  that  a  great  iron  beam 
can  be  rubbed  to  a  fine  needle  if  you  but  take 
time  ?  You  go  to  the  demons  who  live  in  these 
caves  in  the  mountains,  and  find  out  what 
kind  of  a  demon  this  is." 

Sun  Hou  went  to  them  all  and  at  last 
found  one  who  said  he  knew  the  demon  of  the 
Thunder  temple.  He  had  one  time  been  his 
servant  but  had  stolen  his  treasure  and  run 
away.  "  You  can  only  take  him  by  craft  and  I 
will  help  you.  He  is  most  fond  of  melons,  and 
we  will  plant  some  melons  and  test  him.  I  will 
be  the  gardener  and  you  go  and  call  him  out." 

Then  Sun  Hou  went  out  and  reviled  the 
demon  and  he  came  out  in  great  anger;  Sun 
Hou  changed  into  a  fine  melon  and  the 
demon,  seeing  him,  ate  him.  Sun  Hou  said, 
"  Now  I  will  tear  your  heart  out  of  you." 
In  his  great  distress  the  demon  pleaded  so  hard 
that  Sun  Hou  came  out  by  the  demon's  ear 
and  together  they  fought  all  over  the  melon 
patch  in  the  moonlight.  After  the  battle,  worn 
and  weary,  Sun  Hou  liberated  the  soldiers 
and  his  companions,  and  then  looking  about  him 
saw  there  was  no  mountain,  no  temple,  but  a 

[  122] 


T'ang  Sung's  Journey 


fine  restful  road  with  eating-houses  and  rest- 
houses  on  the  way. 

"  Ah,  monk,"  said  he,  "  so  it  ever  is  with 
earth's  power  and  glory.  It  is  all  vanity — 
vanity— empty — empty. ' ' 

In  restful  travel  they  reached  their  journey's 
end  and  found  the  book.  On  their  return  jour- 
ney they  had  many  adventures,  but  they  had 
all  grown  wiser  and  learned  much.  When  they 
reached  the  bank  of  the  river  the  turtle  was 
there  waiting  to  carry  them  across.  They  got 
on  his  back  and  when  half-way  over  he  asked 
if  they  had  found  the  "  Book  "  and  seen  the 
"  great  Buddha."  "  Yes,"  they  said.  Then  the 
turtle  asked  them  if  they  had  remembered  his 
request,  and  when  they  said  they  had  forgotten 
it,  the  turtle  was  so  angry  he  dropped  down 
from  under  them  and  left  them  in  the  water. 
They  had  a  terrible  time  getting  to  the  other 
side,  and  as  the  book  was  paper  all  they  could 
rescue  of  it  were  the  words,  "  Ah-me  t'on  Fo," 
and  this  they  told  the  Emperor  was  all  there 
was  to  the  Classic. 


[123] 


A  STORY  OF  OLD  CHINA 

IN  the  reign  of  Chia  Ching,  Emperor  of 
China  from  1522  to  1537  A.D.,  there  lived 
in  Peking  a  powerful  official  by  the  name 
of  Tu  ("  Du").  Unknown  to  him  he  had  a 
great  enemy  whose  daughter  was  one  of  the 
wives  of  the  Emperor  and  who  was  himself  the 
teacher  of  the  Emperor.  This  man,  Yen  Sung, 
was  the  most  powerful  man  in  the  Empire  at 
that  time,  and  also  one  of  the  most  unscrupu- 
lous. He  made  and  unmade  officials  and  no 
appointment  could  be  secured  except  through 
his  influence.  He  was  very  rich,  and  lived  in 
one  of  the  largest  and  finest  palaces.  His  en- 
tertainments were  second  only  to  the  Em- 
peror's. 

Mr.  Tu  was  appointed  to  superintend  the 
distribution  of  famine  relief  in  the  province  of 
Shan  Tung.  The  silver  was  inclosed  in  logs, 
and  loaded  on  long  carts.  The  caravan  had 
just  reached  the  city  gate  when  they  were  met 
by  Yen  Sung  and  his  riders,  just  returning 
from  a  feast.  He  inquired  of  Mr.  Tu  when 
he  was  going,  and  on  learning  that  the  relief 
caravan  was  just  starting,  he  said: 

"  It  is  too  late  for  you  to  go  to-night;  come 

[124] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


to  my  palace,  all  of  you,  carts  and  all,  and  spend 
the  night.  We  will  have  a  big  feast,  and  you 
can  get  an  early  start  in  the  morning." 

There  seemed  no  harm  in  this,  and  as  no 
one  liked  to  refuse  Yen  Sung  anything,  they 
decided  to  accept  his  invitation. 

That  night  after  the  great  feast  was  over 
and,  much  under  the  influence  of  wine,  all  were 
sleeping,  Yen  Sung,  with  his  steward  and 
henchmen,  removed  the  relief  money  from  the 
logs,  placed  broken  bricks  in  the  holes,  and 
closed  the  logs  as  they  were  before. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  caravan  started, 
and  when  but  a  short  distance  from  the  city 
they  were  overtaken  by  Yen  Sung  and  his  serv- 
ants, who  inquired  how  much  silver  was  being 
taken,  also  made  the  demand  to  see  it.  Mr. 
Tu  said  that  he  had  in  his  charge  forty  thou- 
sand pieces  of  silver ;  and  caused  the  logs  to  be 
opened  as  proof,  only  to  find  to  his  dismay  the 
silver  gone  and  brick  in  its  place.  Yen  Sung 
immediately  seized  him,  took  him  before  the 
Emperor,  accused  him  of  using  the  funds,  and 
punishment  by  death  was  pronounced.  A  few 
days  later  he  was  secretly  beheaded  and  his 
body  was  placed  in  a  temple  near  one  of  the 
city  gates. 

Mr.  Tu  had  a  son,  who  was  married  to  the 
daughter  of  a  well-known  official  who,  on  the 
[125] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

murder  of  the  father-in-law  of  his  daughter, 
came  forward  and  saved  the  family  from  the 
murderous  hands  of  Yen  Sung.  The  Emperor 
punished  the  family  by  changing  their  name  to 
Kao  and  this  son  was  called  Kao  Ching  Chi. 
He  was  a  student  by  nature,  and  on  the  death 
of  his  father  and  the  confiscation  of  his  prop- 
erty, spent  all  of  his  time  at  the  "  Hall  of 
Classics,"  studying  for  promotion. 

His  young  wife,  Yii  Yiich  Ying,  was  very 
beautiful,  according  to  tradition  in  song  and 
story  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  all  the  Em- 
pire; not  only  noted  for  her  beauty  of  face  and 
form,  but  even  more  beautiful  character.  (The 
story  of  her  life,  set  in  song  and  always  sung  in 
tears,  praises  her  in  words  seldom  given  to  any 
woman. ) 

One  day  after  the  death  of  her  father-in-law 
she  took  a  serving-woman  with  her,  and  went 
in  her  chair  to  weep  at  his  grave,  and  burn  in- 
cense for  his  departed  spirit.  On  the  road  her 
chair  passed  Nien  Chi,  the  wicked  steward  of 
Yen  Sung,  who  was  out  with  some  of  his  com- 
panions for  a  ride.  He  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
beautiful  woman  inside,  and  said  to  his  com- 
panions : 

"  Come  on ;  we  will  follow  her  and  see  who 
she  is  and  where  she  is  going." 

When  they  reached  the  temple  he  saw  her 
[126] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


at  the  altar,  prostrating  herself  and  worship- 
ping ;  kneeling  beside  her  he  said : 

"  I  too  have  come  for  worship." 

Yii  Yiich  Ying  immediately  rose  and  went  to 
the  grave  of  her  father-in-law,  followed  by  the 
servant.  Together  they  wept  and  knocked  their 
heads,  but  only  to  be  joined  almost  at  once  by 
Nien  Chi.  They  moved  to  the  other  side  of  the 
grave,  and  again  he  followed,  upon  which  she 
said  to  her  woman : 

"  This  man  means  to  annoy  us;  he  is  an  evil 
man." 

The  serving- woman  turned  on  him  and  said : 

'  You  are  annoying  my  lady,  you  certainly 
lack  all  marks  of  the  superior  man,"  and  with 
that  she  threw  a  handful  of  incense  ashes  in 
his  eyes,  and  taking  her  lady  by  the  hand,  they 
ran  to  the  chair  and  told  the  chairmen  to  go 
home  at  once  as  fast  as  possible. 

Nien  Chi  was  very  angry,  his  eyes  pained 
him  furiously,  and  as  soon  as  he  could  open 
them  with  any  comfort  he  called  to  his  friend : 

"  Mount  at  once  and  give  chase." 

Some  of  his  companions  did  not  want  to,  but 
he  insisted  and,  owing  to  this  delay  and  the 
ashes  in  his  eyes,  they  did  not  overtake  the 
chair  till  just  as  it  entered  the  gate  of  the  ladies' 
home. 

The  gatekeeper  closed  the  gate  and  did  not 
[127] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

notice  the  horsemen  just  entering  their  street. 
Nien  Chi  inquired  of  a  "  street  keeper  "  who 
lived  in  the  place,  and  great  was  his  delight 
when  he  heard  that  it  was  the  family  hated  by 
his  master.  He  sought  the  latter  on  returning 
home,  told  of  his  morning's  experience,  of  the 
beauty  of  the  lady,  and  his  desire  to  secure  her 
if  possible. 

Yen  Sung  was  greatly  pleased,  and  soon  a 
way  was  opened  to  degrade  the  official  who 
had  saved  his  enemy's  family.  He  said  to  his 
steward,  "  This  is  well ;  you  shall  have  her  for 
wife,  and  I  will  help  you  and  thus  reward  your 
many  efforts  in  my  behalf."  Together  these 
two  black-hearted  men  plotted  against  the  life 
and  happiness  of  the  one  little  woman,  who 
did  not  tell  her  student-husband  of  the  experi- 
ences of  the  day,  as  she  did  not  like  to  trouble 
him  when  his  heart  was  so  sad. 

A  few  days  later  a  servant  of  Nien  Chi's 
came  with  a  letter  and  some  very  beautiful 
presents.  The  servant  said  "  his  master  had 
heard  much  of  the  wisdom  of  young  Mr.  Kao ; 
he  was  most  desirous  of  calling  on  him,  making 
his  acquaintance,  and  would  he  please  accept 
the  small,  insignificant  gifts  as  an  expression  of 
friendship."  Mr.  Kao  inquired  who  his  master 
was,  and  when  he  learned  it  was  the  steward  of 
the  great  Yen  Sung,  who  was  almost  as  power- 
[128] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


ful  as  the  Emperor,  and  at  whose  word  a  man 
was  made  an  official  or  deposed,  he  was  greatly 
troubled,  but  he  did  not  dare  refuse.  A  day 
was  set  when  Nien  Chi  was  to  call,  and  he  came 
in  great  pomp  and  glory,  and  was  invited  to 
the  guest  house,  where  Mr.  Kao  received  him. 

Together  they  talked  on  the  surface  of  many 
questions,  Nien  Chi,  in  a  most  subtle  manner, 
praising  the  wisdom  and  great  insight,  of  his 
host.  Much  wine  was  consumed,  especially  by 
Mr.  Kao. 

The  latter  part  of  the  call  Nien  Chi  said, 
"  Shall  we  not  seal  our  friendship  by  the  rite 
of  blood  brother?  You  are  older  than  I,  so  ac- 
cording to  our  custom  it  would  be  proper  for 
you  to  introduce  me  to  your  wife,  my  sister, 
if  indeed  you  will  stoop  to  accept  so  stupid  a 
man  as  a  brother." 

To  this  Mr.  Kao  replied,  "  The  lady,  your 
sister,  is  in  the  inner  court  with  her  women, 
another  day  you  may  meet  her." 

Nien  Chi  urged  Mr.  Kao  to  introduce  him 
that  day,  but  the  latter  changed  the  subject  of 
conversation,  and  then  Nien  Chi  proposed  that 
they  should  see  who  could  take  the  most  wine. 

Alas!  Mr.  Kao  did  not  dream  of  his  plan, 
and  very  soon  was  fast  asleep;  seeing  this,  Nien 
Chi  went  to  the  family  court  in  the  rear  and 
seeing  her  with  her  women,  he  said : 

[  129  1 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

"  Most  beautiful  of  great  sisters,  I  salute 
you." 

Yii  Yiich  Ying  immediately  arose,  and  seeing 
the  man  who  had  troubled  her  so,  there  in  her 
own  court,  she  said: 

"  Who  are  you,  and  how  do  you  dare  to 
come  into  this  inner  court  ?  "  and  then  turning 
to  a  servant,  she  said,  "  Call  your  master." 

Nien  Chi  smiled  and  said,  "  Don't  be 
anxious,  lady,  your  husband  is  my  good  brother 
by  rite  of  blood.  We  have  drank  the  wine  and 
made  the  compact  and  that,  you  know,  as  he  is 
older  than  I,  gives  me  a  right  to  meet  you  and 
call  you  '  sister.'  My  great  brother  is  now 
asleep.  He  is  a  poor,  stupid  man  who  cannot  let 
wine  alone.  Now,  most  beautiful  and  virtuous 
of  all  women,  leave  him  to  his  books  and  marry 
me.  You  shall  have,  by  promise  of  my  master, 
the  great  Yen  Sung,  the  finest  of  the  land,  in 
robes  of  silk  and  satin,  servants  by  tens,  jewels 
fit  for  an  empress,  and  a  most  royal  home." 

In  great  fear  and  rage  the  lady  spurned  him, 
and  called  to  her  women  to  bring  her  husband, 
asleep  or  awake. 

The  loud  voices  had  awakened  him,  and  when 
the  women  met  him,  telling  of  the  fright  of 
their  lady,  he  picked  up  a  stick  and,  entering 
the  court,  demanded  how  he  had  dared  enter 
there. 

[130] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


Yii  Yiich  Ying  said  to  him,  "  How  did  you 
dare  enter  friendship's  bonds  with  such  as  he? 
Take  him  from  my  court  and  presence  at  once. 
He  is  more  hateful  to  me  than  a  serpent." 

Nien  Chi  saw  his  plan  had  failed  and,  with 
rage  and  vowing  vengeance,  he  took  his  depart- 
ure and  once  again  sought  his  master. 

That  night  a  slave  in  the  home  was  bound 
and  killed  and  taken  in  the  early  morning  and 
placed  against  the  gate  of  Mr.  Kao's  house. 
Mr.  Kao  always  went  early  to  the  "  Hall  of  the 
Classics,"  and  that  morning  when  he  opened  the 
gate  the  dead  body  fell  into  Kao's  court;  Nien 
Chi  and  soldiers  were  waiting  just  around  the 
corner  for  this  moment,  and  immediately,  be- 
fore Mr.  Kao  had  taken  in  the  situation,  they 
had  seized  him  and  thrown  him  into  prison,  on 
charge  of  killing  one  of  the  great  Sung's  serv- 
ants. He  was  tried  and  condemned  to  death. 

The  beautiful  Yii  Yiich  Ying  saw  through 
the  plan  and  disposed  of  the  place  at  once  for 
a  small  sum  of  money  and,  taking  one  loyal, 
good  serving-woman,  she  sought  her  father. 

Everything  was  done  that  could  be  done  to 
save  her  husband ;  her  father  had  lost  much  of 
his  property  and  standing,  and  could  help  but 
little. 

It  seemed  as  though  nothing  could  be  done 
to  save  him  when,  at  the  last  moment,  a  "  great 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

day  of  forgiveness"  was  announced  on  the 
birth  of  an  heir  to  the  throne.  This  did  not 
mean  freedom,  but  instead  of  death  came  ban- 
ishment for  life  to  some  other  and  distant 
province. 

The  news  was  made  known  to  the  wife  by  a 
Mr.  Wang,  an  old-time  friend  of  the  family, 
and  he  arranged  with  her  a  plan  by  which  she 
might  have  a  parting  visit  with  her  husband; 
this  was  to  be  in  a  cemetery  just  out  of  Peking 
and  off  a  little  from  the  great  road  over  which 
his  cart  was  to  go.  She  had  not  been  allowed 
to  see  him  in  prison,  though  she  had  used  every 
means  possible. 

When  the  day  set  to  take  him  away  came,  she 
went  with  her  woman  to  the  place  arranged, 
and  then  waited,  with  sad  and  heavy  heart,  for 
the  cart  which  was  to  bring  her  husband  for  a 
short  talk  and  then  take  him  away  from  her 
forever.  When  Mr.  Wang  told  Mr.  Kao  of 
the  plan,  he  said,  "  She  won't  come;  a  woman 
is  like  a  garment  that  one  can  take  off  at  pleas- 
ure and  it  is  all  the  same  to  them." 

Little  he  knew  the  true-hearted  woman,  or 
how  she  would  prove  her  fidelity,  that  would 
hand  her  name  down  to  all  coming  wives  as  the 
pattern  of  all  that  is  most  truly  virtuous. 

When  the  cart  reached  the  place,  by  the  use 
of  a  little  money  Mr.  Wang  arranged  with  the 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


carter  and  escort  soldiers  to  allow  Mr.  Kao 
to  get  out  of  the  cart  and  have  this  quiet  last 
talk  with  his  wife. 

Much  to  his  surprise,  Mr.  Kao  found  his 
wife  waiting  for  him.  She  came  forward  and, 
kneeling  before  him,  she  said,  "  We  are  about 
to  separate,  possibly  forever;  what  commands 
have  you  for  me?  I  will  follow  them  to  the 
letter." 

"  I  have  no  commands,"  replied  her  hus- 
band. "  Our  affairs  have  reached  this  state : 
we  can  do  nothing  and  be  nothing  to  each  other. 
I  am  banished  for  life;  you  cannot  go  with  me, 
and  I  cannot  help  you.  There  is  no  use  in  our 
talking.  You  will  forget  me.  Our  fate  is  un- 
lucky, the  gods  and  man  are  against  us." 

With  tears  streaming  from  her  eyes,  and  her 
beautiful  face  full  of  trouble,  she  said,  "  Alas ! 
alas !  You  do  not  believe  in  and  trust  me,  that 
I  will  be  true  to  you.  What  can  I  do  to  prove 
to  you  that  I  mean  what  I  say  ?  You  say  I  am 
beautiful;  the  gods  have  made  me  so.  Because 
I  am  so  you  think  that  fair  promises  of  wealth 
and  luxury  will  buy  me.  If  I  were  homely  no 
one  would  want  me;  see,  this  I  do  to  show  how 
true  is  my  heart  to  you,"  and  before  he  saw 
what  she  was  about  she  took  some  scissors 
from  her  sleeve  and  dug  out  one  of  her  beauti- 
ful eyes,  and  then,  raising  her  poor  disfigured 

[133] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

face  to  his,  she  said,  as  she  tried  to  smile,  "  Do 
you  believe  me,  is  it  not  proof  enough  ?  Would 
anybody  want  me  now?  " 

Her  husband  was  greatly  moved  and,  as  he 
tried  to  stop  the  flow  of  blood,  said,  "  You  are 
a  daughter  of  the  gods,  the  most  true  of  all 
women." 

They  then  talked  over  their  sorrows,  and  she 
said,  "  If  in  a  few  months'  time  the  gods  give  us 
a  son,  what  is  your  wish  to  name  him  ?  If  a  lit- 
tle daughter  comes,  name  her  also  and  your 
wishes." 

"  I  have  no  wishes  or  commands,  you  are 
able  to  instruct  and  have  wisdom  for  all.  If 
the  gods  give  us  a  son,  call  him  Ting  Lang." 

The  wife  said,  "  Alas !  I  may  not  follow  you 
into  exile,  I  shall  go  to  my  old  home,  but  if  the 
child  is  a  son,  when  he  is  old  enough  I  shall  send 
him  to  you." 

Then  she  took  from  her  sleeve  a  small  mir- 
ror, a  comb,  and  a  handkerchief.  These  she 
divided  into  two  parts,  gave  one  part  to  her 
husband,  and  placed  the  other  in  her  inner 
pocket. 

"  When  a  boy  finds  you,  producing  these,  you 
will  know  who  he  is,  and  wherever  you  are  you 
must  own  him." 

With  this  and  many  tears  they  embraced 
each  other,  then  with  much  weeping  she  knelt 

[134] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


before  him,  and  touching  her  head  to  the 
ground  three  times,  she  said  her  good-bye. 

Her  husband  raised  her  and  gave  her  into 
the  command  of  the  serving-woman,  with  many 
words  of  instruction  to  the  latter,  who  was  in 
great  distress  at  the  condition  of  her  mistress's 
eye.  He  told  her  what  medicine  to  get,  and 
how  to  care  for  it,  and  made  her  promise  to 
stay  with  her  lady  as  long  as  she  lived.  And 
then  the  friend  came  and  promised  the  wife  to 
stay  by  her  husband  to  the  end  of  the  journey 
and  care  for  him,  and  urged  her  to  go  home 
as  it  was  late  and  the  cart  must  be  starting. 

With  one  hand  covering  the  poor  wounded 
eye,  the  two  women  watched  the  cart  until  it 
was  lost  in  a  bend  of  the  road,  and  the  servant 
said,  "My  great  lady,  return  to  your  home. 
Sad,  indeed,  is  your  fate,  but  the  gods  know 
all."  Together  they  went  back  to  the  city,  and 
some  weeks  later  the  poor  heart  was  comforted 
by  the  birth  of  her  little  son. 

Years  passed;  Yii  Yiich  Ying's  parents  died, 
after  great  reverses  and  reduced  to  poverty,  all 
by  their  powerful  enemy.  The  mother  took  in 
sewing  and  washing  and  most  of  all  gave  her- 
self to  the  care  of  her  son,  and  in  this  quiet 
manner  twelve  years  came  and  went.  No 
word  had  come  from  her  husband  and  no 
word  of  their  life-story  did  the  mother  tell 

[1351 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

her  son.  Their  great  enemy  year  by  year 
grew  richer,  and  more  powerful,  and  more  un- 
scrupulous. 

The  year  little  Ting  Lang  was  twelve  the 
display  of  the  Lantern  Feast,  the  fifteenth  of 
the  first  month,  was  most  beautiful,  and  among 
all  displays  none  exceeded  Yen  Sung's.  Hither 
little  Ting  Lang  bent  his  steps,  and  as  he  was 
running  along  he  pushed  against  a  small  boy 
who  fell  down,  and  at  once  began  in  great 
anger  to  revile  Ting  Lang's  father.  Little 
Ting  Lang  did  not  understand  what  he  said,  as 
his  mother  always  told  him  that  his  father  was 
away  on  government  business.  He  no  longer 
cared  to  see  the  beautiful  lanterns.  Home  he 
went  as  fast  as  he  could,  and  rushing  in,  he 
prostrated  himself  before  his  mother,  and  im- 
plored her  to  tell  him  who  his  father  was  and 
why  he  didn't  come  back. 

The  mother's  heart  was  centred  in  the  boy. 
He  was  "  the  point  of  her  heart,"  as  fond 
Chinese  mothers  say  when  the  Western  mother 
would  say  "  my  sweetheart."  Taking  him  by 
the  hand  she  raised  him  up,  and  said,  with  all 
the  mother-love  shining  in  her  eyes,  "  My  son, 
you  are  too  young  yet  to  know  all.  Some  day 
when  you  are  a  little  older  I  will  tell  you  the 
history  of  our  sad  lives.  We  have  a  great  and 
powerful  enemy  and  it  is  only  by  this  quiet  liv- 
[  136  ]  ' 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


ing  that  you  and  I  have  lived  in  peace.  Wait  a 
little  longer,  son,  and  you  shall  know  all." 

The  boy  was  quick  and  impetuous  and  said, 
"  Mother,  unless  you  tell  me  now  I  cannot  live. 
I  am  no  longer  a  child.  I  will  to  know  now." 

"  Not  now,  my  son,"  was  the  quiet  but  sad 
reply. 

Hearing  this,  the  boy  rushed  from  the  room 
and  out  into  the  back  court  where  there  was 
a  well  and,  as  he  ran  by,  he  kicked  a  brick  into 
the  well  and  dashed  into  a  grape  arbour. 

The  mother,  rushing  out  after  him,  only  able 
to  see  with  one  eye,  and  not  seeing  her  boy,  but 
only  hearing  the  splash  as  the  brick  struck  the 
water,  concluded  that  he  had  jumped  into 
the  well.  Sitting  down  by  the  well,  she  ex- 
claimed : 

"  Ai,  ja.  What  have  I  to  live  for  now?  My 
son  is  in  the  well,  his  father  in  banishment  in 
Hsiang  Yang,  all  is  gone.  I  cannot  keep  my 
promise  and  send  him  to  his  father.  Alas! 
alas!  My  fate  is  indeed  bitter.  I  too  will 
end  my  sorrows  in  the  well.  At  least  in  death 
I  can  be  with  my  boy.  His  shall  also  be  my 
grave,"  and  rising,  she  gathered  her  skirt  about 
her  head  preparatory  to  jumping  in,  when  Ting 
Lang  rushed  out  from  his  hiding-place  and, 
grasping  her,  shouted: 

"  Mother,   don't.      I   am   alive.      I   hid   to 

[137] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

frighten  you.  Why  is  my  father  in  banish- 
ment ?  What  promise  did  you  make  him  about 
me?  Tell  me,  or  I  truly  will  beat  my  brains  out 
against  the  bricks." 

Seeing  the  desperate  look  in  his  eyes,  she  said, 
as  she  took  him  in  her  arms,  "  Little  son,  you 
were  nearly  the  death  of  your  mother,  but  never 
mind,  you  shall  know  all.  I  see,  indeed,  you 
are  not  a  child,"  and  leading  him  into  the  house, 
she  told  him  the  sad,  sad  story  from  first  to 
last,  showed  him  the  priceless  keepsakes.  As 
he  looked  at  them  and  at  the  dear,  patient,  dis- 
figured face,  he  said : 

"  Mother,  I  am  going  now  to  seek  my  father. 
You  must  not  prevent  me." 

Could  she  let  him  go,  out  into  the  great  un- 
known world,  her  little  boy,  her  baby;  how 
could  she  ?  And  yet  her  promise  to  his  father ; 
her  vow  that  she  had  lived  over  every  day  of  his 
precious  little  life.  "  Yes,  the  boy  should  go." 
What  mattered  her  sorrow  at  the  parting? 
With  breaking  heart  and  bitter,  sad  tears  she 
gave  her  consent,  and  pawned  almost  every- 
thing she  had  to  give  him  money  to  use  on  the 
journey. 

When  the  morning  came  for  him  to  leave  her, 
she  got  his  breakfast,  feeling  as  though  the  life 
was  going  out  of  her,  and  yet,  with  words  of 
wisdom  and  many  instructions,  she  clasped  him 

[138] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


to  her,  then  allowed  him  to  make  his  pros- 
tration, and  the  door  closed. 

As  Ting  Lang  went  down  the  steps  he  heard 
a  fall  and,  going  back,  found  the  dear  mother 
like  unto  one  dead.  He  called  to  her  and  wept 
and  plead,  and  at  last  the  dear  eye  once  more 
looked  into  his,  and  he  said : 

"  You  must  not  grieve  thus.  I  must  fulfil 
your  promise  to  my  father.  I  will  tell  you  a 
plan;  you  buy  a  coffin  and  put  it  under  your 
window.  Put  all  my  old  clothes  and  shoes  into 
it,  and  when  you  are  lonely  and  miss  me  and 
must  weep,  you  go  to  the  coffin  and  say,  '  My 
son  is  dead.  Here  will  I  weep  for  him.'  Con- 
sider me  as  dead  and  here,  and  you  will  be  com- 
forted." 

The  mother  replied,  "  You  are  wise,  my  dear, 
beyond  your  years;  I  will  do  as  you  say,  and 
weep  for  you  there." 

"  If  I  live,  my  mother,  I  will  come  back  for 
you  if  I  can  find  my  father." 

The  boy  went  by  boat  down  the  Grand  Canal 
for  Tientsin.  On  the  boat  were  some  wicked 
men  who  took  his  money  and  clothing,  and 
when  they  reached  Lui  Ching,  sold  him  to  a 
theatre  man. 

This  man  was  very  unkind  to  him,  and  he  was 
determined  to  make  his  escape ;  one  day  he  was 
less  carefully  watched,  and  taking  the  open  mo- 

[139] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

ment,  he  ran  to  the  river  bank  just  as  some  men 
were  landing  from  a  boat.  The  boy  sought 
their  protection,  told  his  story,  and  before  he 
was  through,  he  was  in  the  arms  of  one  of  the 
men,  who  proved  to  be  the  friend,  Mr.  Wang, 
who  had  taken  his  father  to  the  place  of  banish- 
ment. 

The  theatre  man  came  up  and  declared  the 
boy  was  his;  upon  which  Mr.  Wang  quar- 
relled with  him,  and  in  the  fight  that  followed 
the  man  was  killed.  Mr.  Wang  was  arrested, 
but  managed  first  to  get  the  boy  out  of  the 
city  and,  giving  him  a  little  money,  went  back 
to  stand  his  trial.  After  many  long,  weary 
days  of  travel,  but  without  serious  trouble,  the 
hungry,  footsore,  and  weary  boy  found  his  way 
to  the  city  to  which  he  had  been  directed. 

Let  us  turn  and  follow  the  footsteps  of  the 
father  during  the  twelve  sad  years.  Mr.  Kao 
was  greatly  depressed  by  his  many  sorrows,  and 
when  he  parted  from  his  wife,  he  felt  he  should 
never  see  her  again,  neither  did  he  even  then 
comprehend  what  a  true  and  remarkable  wife 
was  his.  After  reaching  the  city  of  Hsiang 
Yang,  to  which  he  had  been  banished,  he  was 
obliged  to  walk  about  with  chain  and  ball  at- 
tached to  his  feet,  carrying  a  gun  on  his  shoul- 
der. For  food  he  was  given  permission  to  take 
a  handful  of  grain  from  each  bag  of  tribute 
[140] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


rice  that  he  saw  on  carts  passing  through  the 
city.  This  he  could  cook  and  so  keep  from 
starving.  This  kind  of  life  was  very  trying  to 
him  and  he  endured  it  for  some  months,  and 
then,  being  a  proud,  spirited  man,  he  deter- 
mined that  he  would  either  die  or  change  for  the 
better  in  some  way.  He  begged  a  few  bits  of 
money,  bought  a  pen,  ink,  and  some  paper,  and 
as  he  was  a  very  beautiful  writer,  he  employed 
his  time  in  writing  Chinese  characters  and  sell- 
ing them  on  the  street.  This  was  a  wise  change, 
and  as  he  sat  writing  day  by  day  by  the  road- 
side, his  fame  spread  all  over  the  city. 

One  day  a  very  rich  old  gentleman,  who  had 
been  observing  him  quietly  for  many  days,  drew 
near  and  entered  into  conversation.  After 
passing  the  time  of  day,  he  remarked  on  the 
beauty  of  Mr.  Kao's  writing  and  his  evident 
familiarity  with  the  Chinese  Classics;  "  Neither 
do  you  look  to  me  to  be  a  man  of  the  common 
people  or  one  who  should  be  in  this  prison 
dress." 

As  he  talked  his  kindly  manner  warmed  the 
heart  of  Mr.  Kao,  who  had  come  to  feel  that 
all  the  world,  even  the  gods,  were  against  him, 
and  little  by  little  he  told  the  story  of  his  fa- 
ther's life  and  their  deadly  enemy,  the  great 
Yen  Sung.  He  did  not  tell  of  his  wife  and 
the  great  sorrow  of  his  family  life,  but  said 

[  141  1 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

his  father's  enemy  had  been  the  cause  of  his 
banishment  for  life. 

The  old  gentleman  said,  "  My  name  is  Hu. 
I  have  been  observing  you  for  days  though  you 
did  not  know  it,  and  I  was  certain  that  you 
could  not  be  a  guilty  man.  Have  you  any 
family  in  the  north  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  the  unhappy  Kao.  "  All  is  lost 
to  me.  I  am  alone  in  the  world.  '  On  hear- 
ing this  the  gentleman  said,  "  I  have  a  proposi- 
tion to  make  to  you ;  I  am  a  rich  man  and  have 
large  estates,  but  I  have  no  son  to  inherit  them 
or  care  for  me  when  I  am  old.  I  have  a  beau- 
tiful daughter;  will  you  marry  her,  come  and 
live  with  us,  take  my  cares  upon  you;  when  I 
am  old  care  for  me?  If  so,  when  I  am  gone 
all  shall  be  yours." 

The  young  man  could  hardly  believe  his  ears, 
and  looked  in  amazement,  and  at  last  said, 
"  How  can  that  be  ?  I  am  a  criminal,  under 
sentence  of  the  government,  a  man  whose  very 
name  has  been  changed." 

"  That  is  easy  for  me,"  said  Mr.  Hu.  "  Did 
I  not  tell  you  I  was  rich;  is  there  anything 
money  will  not  do?  I  can  buy  your  freedom 
at  the  magistrate's  here  and  if  you  are  ready 
and  willing  we  will  receive  you  into  our  family. 
I  ask  you  again  only  this :  have  you  a  family  in 
the  north?" 

[142] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


Again  Mr.  Kao  replied,  "  No,  I  am  alone." 

"  All  is  well  then,"  replied  Mr.  Hu.  "  I  will 
see  to  the  rest,"  and  in  a  few  days  what  seemed 
as  a  dream  to  Mr.  Kao,  or  Mr.  Tu,  as  he  took 
back  his  old  name,  became  a  reality. 

Mr.  Tu  was  much  overcome;  the  temptation 
to  a  life  of  luxury  after  his  suffering  had  been 
too  great,  and  after  his  marriage  to  the  beauti- 
ful daughter  of  the  "  House  of  Hu  "  he  did 
not  dare  to  tell  of  the  brave,  true-hearted  wife 
and  mother  in  the  city  of  Peking.  He  put  it 
off  from  month  to  month,  but  it  did  not  become 
any  easier  as  time  went  by,  and  the  riches,  beau- 
tiful home,  and  family  were  driving  all  that 
dark  past  more  and  more  from  his  mind.  Their 
home  was  all  the  heart  could  desire,  and  later 
a  little  son  came  to  share  it  with  them,  and  then 
indeed  were  the  bitter  days  of  the  past  cast  out 
of  heart  and  mind  as  far  as  possible. 

Thus,  in  comfort  and  joy,  the  twelve  years 
passed  away;  Mr.  Hu  thanking  the  gods  for 
giving  him  such  a  son,  content  that  old  age 
should  come  to  him  and  his  old  wife  under 
these  most  auspicious  circumstances.  How  dif- 
ferent a  life  was  this  from  that  of  the  wife 
and  mother  in  the  far  north. 

One  day  Mr.  Tu  went  with  some  companions 
for  a  ride  outside  of  the  city.  As  they  neared 
the  gate  they  saw  a  lot  of  people  gathered  about 

[143] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

a  young  lad  of  remarkably  fine  face  and  form, 
but  in  very  poor  clothing.  He  had  in  his  hand 
a  broken  comb  and,  spread  out  before  him,  a 
part  of  a  silk  handkerchief  and  a  broken  mir- 
ror, and  with  tears  in  his  eyes  Mr.  Tu  waved 
the  men  aside  and  asked  the  boy  who  he  was  and 
where  he  came  from. 

The  boy  said,  "  I  am  Ting  Lang  and  am 
come  in  search  of  my  father,  Tu  Ching  Ling, 
known  by  the  name  of  Kao.  He  was  banished 
to  this  city  and  I  am  in  search  of  him.  He 
came  here  twelve  years  ago.  If  any  of  you 
know  him  or  where  I  can  find  him,  will  you 
please  tell  me." 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  for  a  moment,  then 
Mr.  Tu  said,  pointing  to  the  keepsakes,  "  What 
are  those  things  ?  Do  you  call  such  stuff  treas- 
ure?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Ting  Lang.  "  My  mother  gave 
them  to  me,  the  other  half  of  each  my  father 
has  and  he  was  to  know  me  by  these." 

A  man  standing  near  said,  "  This  must  be 
your  son.  You  have  not  told  us  all  the  truth 
about  yourself." 

Mr.  Tu  was  angry  then  and  also  afraid,  and 
striking  the  boy  with  his  riding-whip,  he  said, 
as  he  threw  him  some  silver,  "  Get  you  gone, 
you  are  an  impostor;  you  are  not  my  son,  but 
because  you  are  a  poor  boy  I  will  help  you  a 

[144] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


little  and  not  put  you  in  prison."  Saying  this, 
he  rode  on,  followed  by  his  friends. 

As  the  men  rode  away,  the  bystanders  all 
said,  "  That  is  your  father.  He  is  Tu  Ching 
Ling,  also  Kao  Ching  Chi.  He  was  banished 
here  twelve  years  ago." 

When  the  boy  heard  this,  he  gathered  his 
treasures  together,  and  went  into  a  temple  near, 
where  he  sat  down  to  think.  What  had  he  to 
live  for?  His  father  had  disowned  him;  had 
struck  him. 

"  Alas !  "  said  he.  "  There  is  for  me  no  liv- 
ing road,  I  will  end  it  here.  I  have  failed  in 
my  promise  to  my  mother." 

Taking  his  girdle,  he  was  fastening  it  about 
a  beam  in  the  temple  when  an  old  priest  came 
in  and  said,  "  Son,  what  would  you  do?  I  may 
be  able  to  help  you." 

The  poor  lad  poured  out  his  sad  story,  and 
at  its  close  the  priest  said : 

"  Son,  listen  to  me ;  I  will  help  you  find  your 
father  again,  and  a  plan  by  which  he  must  own 
you.  You  dry  your  tears  and  stay  here  with 
me  a  few  days,  and  I  promise  you,  you  will  yet 
be  a  happy  boy."  Then  he  thought  a  while 
and  at  last  disclosed  his  plan  in  part  to  the 
lad. 

He  taught  the  boy  some  songs  and  helped  him 
put  his  own  life-story  into  rhyme,  and  one  day 

[145] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

said,  "  I  want  you  to  sing  for  the  '  foundation 
beaters,'  who  are  preparing  the  ground  for  a 
beautiful  pavilion  in  a  flower  garden  belonging 
to  a  rich  man.  They  are  in  need  of  a  leading 
voice  such  as  you  have,  and  you  can  sing  for 
them ;  you  may  also  sing  your  own  song  at  that 
place." 

Ting  Lang  went  with  him,  and  his  beautiful 
voice  and  handsome  face  won  the  hearts  of  all 
the  workmen,  and  they  joined  in  the  choruses 
with  a  will,  throwing  all  their  strength  into  the 
work. 

For  a  day  or  two  he  caught  no  glimpse  of  the 
family,  and  his  heart  was  sad  and  heavy ;  so  also 
was  the  heart  of  the  father,  had  he  but  known 
it.  The  sight  of  the  boy  had  brought  back  the 
memory  of  his  early  life  and  the  parting  with 
the  boy's  mother.  The  boy  was  in  the  city ;  peo- 
ple would  know  all  and  talk  and  it  would  come 
to  his  father-in-law's  ears,  yet  he  could  not 
bring  himself  to  tell  him  first. 

The  third  day  Ting  Lang  was  singing  he 
caught  sight  of  a  lady  sitting  by  the  window 
listening.  She  was  greatly  interested  in  this 
child-singer  as  she  had  heard  him  leading  the 
workmen,  and  what  was  her  horror  when  she 
saw  one  of  her  servants  go  up  and  strike 
the  child  a  sharp  blow,  knocking  him  from  the 
bench  on  which  he  was  standing.  Seeing 
[146] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


the  child  did  not  get  up,  she  called  to  the  serv- 
ant and  berated  him  soundly  for  his  brutality. 

"  Why  did  you  strike  him  ?  " 

To  which  the  servant  answered,  "  He  used 
the  name  of  my  master." 

"  Fool,"  said  the  lady,  "  you  are  more  than 
stupid.  Can  there  not  be  many  by  your  mas- 
ter's name  in  all  these  provinces  ?  Go  and  bring 
the  boy  in  here  at  once  and  revive  him,  and  I 
will  pardon  you  this  cruelty." 

The  servant  obeyed  her,  and  the  boy  was 
brought  to  the  lady's  room.  After  he  revived 
and  was  quite  himself  again,  she  asked  him 
who  he  was  and  how  old;  why  he  had  left  his 
mother  and  come  to  another  province,  as  she 
could  tell  by  his  voice  that  he  was  from  the 
north.  He  told  her  he  was  twelve  years  old; 
had  come  from  his  home  in  the  north  to  seek 
his  father,  and  then  he  went  on  and  told  her 
how  his  mother  fainted  when  he  left  her,  and 
of  his  own  sad  and  lonely  journey. 

"  How  old  is  your  mother?  "  asked  the  lady. 

"  She  is  thirty-six,"  was  his  reply. 

"And  your  father,  how  old  is  he?" 

"  I  remember  hearing  my  mother  say  that  he 
was  older  than  she  by  two  years,  and  so  he 
should  be  thirty-eight." 

"  What  is  your  father's  name  ?  "  was  her 
next  question. 

[1471 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

"  Tu  Ching  Ling,"  was  the  answer. 

The  room  was  quiet  a  moment,  and  then 
came  the  question,  "  How  does  your  mother 
live?" 

To  this  Ting  Lang  replied,  "  At  first  we  were 
supported  by  my  grandparents,  but  they  are 
dead  now ;  died  poor,  and  my  mother,  for  some 
time,  has  had  to  take  in  washing.  She  has 
only  one  eye,  so  she  cannot  see  to  do  fine  sew- 
ing. She  is  reduced  almost  to  a  beggar." 

"  Have  you  any  proof  of  your  father  ?  "  was 
the  next  question. 

"  Yes,  I  have  the  three  mementos.  The 
half  of  each  are  in  my  father's  possession. 
These  I  have  are  the  half  my  mother  kept,  and 
I  was  to  present  them  when  I  found  my 
father." 

"  When  she  gave  you  these,  did  she  tell  you 
when  she  gave  the  other  half  to  your  father?  " 

Ting  Lang  said,  "  Yes."  Then  he  told  of 
their  parting  as  he  had  learned  it  from  the  lips 
of  his  mother.  Then  he  went  on  and  told  how 
he  came  to  start  out  in  search  of  his  father, 
the  long,  lonely  road ;  how  and  why  his  father 
was  banished.  It  was  with  many  sobs  and 
tears  that  the  story  was  told,  and  before  he  was 
through  the  lady  was  weeping  with  him.  As  he 
closed  she  put  her  arm  around  him  and  said : 

"  I  am  your  second  mother." 
[148] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


When  the  boy  heard  this  he  was  frightened 
and  said,  "  Alas !  alas !  what  have  I  done !  " 

"  Nothing,"  was  the  reply;  "  rest  your  heart, 
you  are  indeed  my  son,  for  I  also  am  your 
father's  wife."  Then  she  told  him  the  story  of 
his  father's  coming  to  the  city,  her  father's  in- 
terest in  him,  and  her  marriage.  "  He  said 
he  had  no  family  when  we  asked  him  and  I 
could  not  know  of  your  mother.  You  have  a 
younger  brother,  my  little  son,  who  is  nine 
years  old.  His  name  is  Kan  Lang;  that  cor- 
responds with  the  name  your  father  left  you, 
and  I  believe  all  your  story.  The  mistake  is  all 
your  father's.  You  are  indeed  his  son." 

Ting  Lang  knelt  and  knocked  his  head  to  his 
second  mother. 

As  she  raised  him  up  she  said,  "  You  have 
indeed  suffered;  you  are  the  best  and  bravest 
boy  I  ever  heard  of ;  you  shall  never  leave  us." 

This  mother,  Hu  Yiich  Ying,  was  also  a  very 
beautiful  character,  and  her  sweet,  gentle  man- 
ners won  the  heart  of  Ting  Lang  and  he  be- 
lieved her  word.  She  sent  a  servant  to  call  her 
own  little  son,  Kan  Lang,  and  when  he  came 
he  asked,  "  Did  you  call  me,  mother?  " 

"Yes,"  she  said.  "This  is  your  older 
brother.  Greet  him  first." 

"  But,  mother,  I  never  saw  or  heard  of  him 
before,"  was  the  reply  of  Kan  Lang. 

[149] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

"  Greet  him  as  I  tell  you,  and  afterward  I 
will  explain  matters  to  you."  The  boys  then 
bent  the  knee  to  each  other  and  then  the  mother 
told  her  son  that  she  was  a  second  wife;  that  the 
first  wife  was  the  mother  of  Ting  Lang,  and 
she  was  also  his  mother;  that  Ting  Lang  was 
also  her  son,  and  they  were  to  care  tenderly  for 
each  other.  Then  she  sent  a  servant  to  find  his 
master  and  invite  him  to  come  to  her  apart- 
ments. 

When  he  came  in  she  asked,  "  Do  you  know 
this  lad  ?  "  Her  husband  replied,  "  I  saw  him 
outside  the  gate  of  the  city.  Who  is  he  and 
what  does  he  want  here?"  Then  his  wife 
said: 

"  You  are  an  ungrateful  man.  You  deserve 
the  severest  punishment  Heaven  can  give. 
When  I  asked  you  if  I  had  an  '  older  sister ' 
you  said  no!  My  father  and  mother  treated 
you  as  a  piece  of  fine  gold.  You  had  nothing 
when  you  came  to  them.  You  should  have  told 
them  the  truth,  and  after  marriage  told  me  the 
truth.  You  dress  in  silk,  satin,  and  broadcloth ; 
you  eat  the  best  of  the  land,  live  in  a  great 
house,  read,  write,  and  have  tens  of  servants 
to  wait  at  your  door.  You  go  out ;  it  is  either 
on  horse,  in  chair,  or  by  cart,  and  ever  with 
your  outriders.  You  left  my  poor  sister  in  sor- 
row and  poverty  for  twelve  long  years,  while 
[ISO] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


you  have  lived  in  luxury  and  pleasures.  Twelve 
years  for  her  of  bitterness  and  death,  forgotten 
by  the  man  she  trusted  and  for  whom  she  gave 
her  beauty  of  person.  You  with  your  four  sea- 
sons' clothing,  she  almost  a  beggar.  Look  at 
this  your  son,  and  think  of  his  twelve  years ;  ah ! 
they  have  made  him  a  stronger  man,  though  a 
boy  yet,  than  his  father.  Think  of  the  long, 
weary  way  he  has  come  seeking  you;  ah!  the 
heart  of  an  iron  or  a  stone  man  must  have  cried 
out  at  such  sorrow  as  has  been  theirs.  How  can 
you  call  yourself  a  man?  How  can  you  see  my 
parents  ?  Above  all,  how  will  you  ever  be  able 
to  look  in  the  face  of  my  sister,  the  mother  of 
Ting  Lang?"  Then  turning  to  the  latter  she 
said: 

"  Son,  your  father  is  not  worthy,  but  kneel 
to  him  and  make  your  greeting  and  give  him 
your  mother's  message." 

Ting  Lang  knelt  at  his  father's  feet,  and 
when  the  father  saw  him  there  he  felt  as  though 
a  knife  had  entered  his  heart.  He  put  out  his 
hand  and  said : 

"  My  virtuous  and  filial  son,  son  of  my  suf- 
fering wife,"  and  then  fell  back  in  a  swoon. 

The  boys  and  the  mother  sprang  forward 
and  caught  him  and  placed  him  in  a  chair,  a 
son  standing  at  either  side  of  the  chair,  the 
sweet  mother  at  the  back. 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

As  he  came  to  and  opened  his  eyes  and  saw 
them  thus,  he  took  his  wife's  hand  and  said : 

"  I  have  sinned  against  you  and  your  house. 
I  was  afraid  to  tell  you  all  the  truth.  Ah,  you 
are  a  better  woman  than  I  am  a  man.  You  are 
a  great  daughter  of  a  great  house." 

Then  Hu  Yiich  Ying  said,  "  If  indeed  you 
will  listen  to  me,  I  will  forgive  you." 

He  replied,  "  Whatever  you  say  I  will  do." 

Meantime  the  old  father  and  mother,  having 
heard  the  crying  and  loud  voices,  came  to  the 
door.  It  was  opened  and  they  came  in,  say- 
ing, "  For  the  first  time  we  have  heard  what 
sounded  like  a  quarrel,  and  have  come  to  see 
what  it  is  about." 

Their  son-in-law  came  and,  kneeling  at  his 
father's  feet,  said,  "  Honoured  and  great  fa- 
ther, I  have  sinned !  "  Then  came  the  daughter 
and,  kneeling  before  her  mother,  she  said, 
"  His  sins  are  my  sins,"  and  after  that  the  two 
boys,  who  said  as  they  knelt,  "  Our  parents' 
sins  are  ours,"  and  the  four  wept  with  loud  and 
bitter  tears.  The  old  man  said : 

"  Arise,  my  children,  all  of  you,"  and  lifted 
up  his  son-in-law ;  the  mother  took  her  daugh- 
ter in  her  arms,  and  two  servants  came  forward 
and  lifted  up  the  boys. 

"  Now,"  said  old  Mr.  Hu,  "  tell  me  all  the 
trouble."  Then  said  Tu  Ching  Ling: 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


"  I  have  lied  to  you." 

"  What  about,  my  son  ? "  asked  Mr.  Hu. 
"  What  could  you  possibly  do  that  I  could  not 
forgive?"  Tu  Ching  Ling  told  of  his  wife, 
how  he  had  lied  about  her,  of  her  virtue,  and 
all  the  sad,  miserable  story,  including  his  fear 
to  own  his  son,  and  sending  him  off.  He  con- 
cluded with: 

"  I  am  not  worthy  to  be  your  son.  Your 
goodness  is  as  high  as  Heaven  and  as  deep  as 
the  earth."  As  he  closed  the  old  gentleman 
looked  at  Ting  Lang  and  said: 

"  Thank  the  gods,  thank  the  gods,  that  from 
your  house  has  come  forth  such  a  son.  My 
house  is  honoured  in  him.  You  are  forgiven." 

Then  the  father  called  Ting  Lang  to  pros- 
trate himself  before  his  grandparents,  which 
he  did,  knocking  his  head  to  each  three  times. 
As  old  Mr.  Hu  looked  at  him  his  eyes  filled  and 
he  said,  "  He  has  the  virtues  of  Heaven  and 
the  strength  of  the  gods;  this  is  a  son  for  the 
gods,  and  the  glory  of  his  father,  grandfather, 
and  most  worthy  mother;  be  comforted,  son-in- 
law,  we  cannot  divide  the  house;  the  child  to 
seek  his  father  was  ready  to  die,  and  to  our 
house  has  come  glory,  and  because  of  the  vir- 
tues of  this  boy  the  broken  household  shall  be 
reunited.  To-day  is  a  great  day  in  our  family. 
To  honour  this  event,  for  three  days  the  work- 

[153] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

men  shall  feast  on  meat  and  flour,  and  we  will 
have  a  great  house- feast  for  three  days,  that  all 
the  friends  and  relatives  may  know  of  our  joy. 
We  will  call  the  best  teacher  in  the  land  and  the 
boys  shall  study  together ;  "  then  again  he  put 
his  hand  on  Ting  Lang's  shoulder  and  said : 

"  You  need  not  mourn  for  your  mother.  I 
will  send  for  her.  She  shall  come  in  state  and 
live  in  luxury  all  the  rest  of  her  life." 

Thus  were  husband,  wife,  and  children  all 
comforted,  and  made  ready  for  the  great  feast 
and  theatre  in  honour  of  the  oldest  son.  After 
which  the  oldest  family  servants  were  sent 
north  to  Peking  with  letters  for  the  mother  of 
Ting  Lang. 

Hu  Yiich  Ying  wrote  a  beautiful  letter  of 
invitation  to  her,  telling  of  the  home  that 
awaited  her,  of  herself,  the  little  sister  who 
would  care  for  her,  of  two  sons  instead  of  one, 
who  longed  for  her  instruction  and  help.  She 
wrote  of  the  comforts  she  could  have  and  the 
welcome  that  awaited  her. 

When  the  servants  reached  Peking  they  had 
a  hard  time  to  find  the  small  court  where  she 
had  her  little  room.  They  asked  for  "  Lady 
Yii,"  which  much  surprised  her  neighbours. 
They  said: 

"  The  only  one  in  that  court  by  that  name  is 
an  old  woman  who  is  almost  a  beggar;  she 

[154] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


has  a  small  son,  but  he  is  off  seeking  his 
father." 

"  Please  call  her,"  said  the  head  steward,  and 
the  neighbours  went  and  said,  "  Mrs.  Yii,  some 
men  at  the  gate  are  seeking  you.  They  seem 
to  belong  to  some  big  man,  but  their  dialect  is 
not  of  this  province." 

Yii  Yiich  Ying  said,  "  Tell  them  my  room  is 
small,  I  have  no  man  at  home,  and  it  is  not, 
therefore,  proper  for  them  to  enter  my  place. 
Whatever  business  they  have  they  are  to  tell 
you." 

As  they  returned  to  the  gate  the  neighbours 
said,  "  Although  she  is  so  poor,  she  is  most  par- 
ticular as  to  observing  good  customs." 

Then  the  servants  sent  in  the  two  letters. 
She  read  the  one  from  her  husband,  asking 
her  pardon  for  his  neglect,  saying  he  had  no 
means  of  expressing  his  deep  regret,  telling  of 
his  present  circumstances  and  comforts,  and 
thanking  her  for  sending  the  son.  He  said  .he 
had  no  words  to  praise  her  virtue,  it  was  as 
high  as  Heaven;  told  of  the  son's  finding  him 
and  how  he  was  studying  under  a  great  teacher 
who  pronounced  him  a  remarkable  scholar. 
Then  he  urged  her  "  ten  thousand  times  to 
come  and  live  with  them.  The  servants  had 
come  to  bring  her,  and  he  and  her  sister  would 
only  be  happy  when  she  came.  They  hoped 

[155] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

for  her  day  and  night,  and  their  hearts  were 
hungry  for  her  friendship,  even  as  her  two  sons 
needed  her  instruction." 

As  she  closed  the  letter  she  said,  "  Thanks 
to  the  gods  who  took  my  child  in  safety.  My 
husband  has  then  a  wife  and  son.  My  own  son 
is  provided  for;  my  heart  is  at  rest."  She  then 
wrote  the  following  letter: 

"  My  little  sister  and  virtuous  husband : 
your  letters  of  invitation  are  at  hand.  I  can- 
not thank  you  enough  for  your  goodness  to  my 
boy.  I  do  not  desire  comforts  and  luxuries 
for  myself.  I  only  desire  his  best  good.  That 
has  come.  I  have  suffered  only  that  the  boy 
and  his  father  might  be  united.  You  need  not 
be  anxious  about  me.  I  am  entirely  satisfied. 
The  Superior  Man  may  be  poor  in  bodily  com- 
forts, but  he  is  not  poor  in  wisdom  or  virtue. 
The  tiger  may  be  very  thin,  but  the  strength  of 
his  heart  is  not  diminished."  Then  she  called 
the  servants,  who  came  and  gave  her  a  greet- 
ing. They  said  they  had  everything  ready  to 
take  her  back  with  them.  Also  two  women- 
servants  were  waiting  in  the  cart  for  her.  Yii 
Yiich  Ying  said : 

"  I  am  poor,  I  have  nothing  to  give  you  for 

all  your  long,  weary  journey.     Please  return 

and  take  this  letter;  I  will  not  go  with  you 

now."    The  servants  all  urged  her  and  plead 

[156] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


with  her;  showed  her  the  boxes  of  garments, 
the  silver  sent  for  the  journey;  praised  the 
beautiful  home  waiting  for  her,  told  of  the 
kind  old  people,  and  most  charming  younger 
sister.  To  all  she  turned  a  deaf  ear. 

"  My  son  has  found  his  father;  the  latter 
has  comforts  and  riches;  I  will  abide  here;  here 
where  I  have  suffered  will  I  live  my  life;  I  care 
not  for  riches;  although  I  am  poor  I  am  not 
covetous.  Our  great  sage  said,  The  Superior 
Man  may  be  poor,  but  he  will  never  be  covetous. 
Although  I  am  poor  you  must  not  try  to  make 
me  ashamed,  and  you  need  not  praise  their 
riches ;  I  may  not  always  be  poor  and  they  may 
not  always  be  rich.  The  gods  deal  out  to  men 
their  lives,  I  am  content.  In  the  spring  the 
grass  sends  up  its  shoots;  autumn  comes  and 
the  leaves  fall.  In  the  autumn  of  life  we  will 
compare  our  fates." 

As  she  said  this  the  tears  came ;  all  the  years 
of  loneliness  and  sadness  swept  over  her;  she 
could  not  accept  comforts  from  him  who  had 
been  untrue  to  her,  or  from  the  one  who  had 
her  place.  The  servants  said : 

"  Lady  Yii,  you  are  indeed  a  Superior 
Woman.  If  we  go  back  without  you,  you 
must  at  least  keep  the  garments  and  the 
money." 

These  she  at  first  refused,  but  at  last,  to  sat- 
[1571 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

isfy  them,  as  she  knew  that  the  servants  would 
suffer  if  she  did  not,  she  said : 

"  I  do  not  want  the  silks  and  velvets ;  take 
those  back  with  you.  How  would  I,  a  beggar, 
look  in  such  garments.  Give  me  a  few  changes 
of  cotton  garments;  they  will  fit  my  station 
better  and  I  will  not  appear  to  be  other  than 
I  am." 

This  was  done  after  much  protesting;  then 
she  accepted  a  few  ounces  of  silver,  and  told 
them  they  might  use  the  rest  on  the  journey 
back.  They  said: 

"  We  have  a  plenty  for  all;  we  will  put  this 
in  the  care  of  a  big  store  here;  our  master  is 
part  owner  in  it,  and  you  must  go  to  him  for 
it  when  you  need  it.  You  must  promise  us  this 
for  the  sake  of  your  son.  You  must  not  cause 
him  to  weep,  and  be  sad,  because  of  your  liv- 
ing in  useless  poverty."  She  promised  them 
she  would  go  when  she  had  need  of  money  and 
get  from  the  store  for  her  use,  and  with  great 
reluctance  the  servants,  again  prostrating  them- 
selves, left  her ;  they  returned  to  the  south  and 
she  entered  her  poor  little  room. 

Years  came  and  went ;  to  all  the  letters  Lady 
Yii  returned  an  answer  that  she  was  in  need  of 
nothing  and  would  not  leave  her  native  city. 
The  boys  grew  up  together.  They  were  very 
bright,  and  year  by  year  took  high  honours  in 
[158] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


the  examinations.  In  all  the  province  there 
was  no  other  student  equal  to  Ting  Lang.  He 
was  the  talk  of  the  city;  and  people  predicted  a 
great  fortune  for  him. 

When  he  was  seventeen,  he  and  his  brother 
went  to  Peking  to  take  the  examinations  for  the 
higher  degrees;  for  these  they  not  only  wrote 
the  three-page  essay,  but  also  a  two-page  "  Chin 
Tsin,"  or  a  short  account  of  the  family,  going 
back  several  generations  and  giving  the  official 
positions  of  any  of  their  ancestors. 

When  Ting  Lang  entered  his  name  and  his 
brother's  for  the  examinations  they  had  given 
the  name  of  Hu  and  as  he  had  not  sought  out 
his  mother,  no  one  knew  that  the  much-talked- 
of  young  student  was  of  the  old  house  of  Tu. 
His  enemy,  Yen  Sung,  had  no  thought  of  fear 
from  the  family.  He  was  the  great  examiner, 
the  head  of  the  Hau  Lin  College.  In  all  the 
Empire  no  one  could  write  such  characters  as 
he.  (At  the  present  time,  characters  written  by 
him  hang  in  the  Hall  of  Classics  in  Peking  as  a 
model  of  perfect  writing.)  Year  by  year  his 
power  had  grown  until  the  Emperor  was  almost 
a  figurehead  and  hated  him,  yet  no  one  dared 
to  impeach  him. 

Ting  Lang  came  with  three  hundred  and 
fifty-nine  other  men  who  had  the  degree  of 
"  Chin  Shib,"  to  be  examined  for  "  Chaung 

[159] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

Yuan,"  the  highest  degree  in  the  Empire,  and 
a  degree  only  given  to  one  man  once  in 
three  years.  This  year  it  came  to  Ting 
Lang  and  the  degree  of  "  Pang  Yen "  to 
his  brother.  Ting  Lang's  writing  was  pro- 
nounced perfect  by  the  Emperor,  the  style  most 
elegant. 

At  the  close  of  the  examinations  a  great 
feast  was  given;  among  those  present  was  a 
powerful  official  by  name  of  Hai  Jui.  He  was 
noted  as  a  man  of  great  ability  and  as  an 
honest  and  upright  minister.  He  knew  the 
story  of  Ting  Lang's  life ;  felt  that  the  time  had 
come  to  expose  the  great  Yen  Sung,  so  at  the 
great  feast  following  the  examinations  he  wrote 
the  following  on  slips  of  paper  and  sent  them 
quietly  among  the  students: 

"  A  great  man  has  come  among  us  in  our 
new  '  Chuang  Yuan.'  Although  a  boy  in  years, 
he  is  a  man,  yes  a  son  of  a  god  in  ability  and 
talent.  He  will  be  of  great  use  to  his  country. 
There  are  officials — yes,  great  ones — who  are 
traitors  to  the  good  of  their  country;  these  we 
must  put  down  and  give  men  of  ability  a 
chance." 

Every  one  knew  this  referred  to  Yen  Sung 

though  no  name  was  given.     After  the  feast 

the  students  all  waited  outside  the  Hall  for 

Yen  Sung  to  come  for  audience  with  the  Em- 

[160] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


peror.  As  he  came  near  to  his  chair,  Ting 
Lang  walked  up  to  him  and  said : 

"  You  great  traitor  to  your  country ;  you 
crafty  minister;  you  control  and  insult  the  Em- 
peror, hold  under  as  slaves  all  officials  of  the 
Empire;  you  oppressor  of  the  people,  your  sun 
is  set.  Your  sons  are  like  you  in  wickedness; 
your  steward  is  a  devil,  and  you  plan  with  him. 
Your  great  literary  name  is  wild  and  worthless; 
judgment  awaits  you,  the  judgment  of 
Heaven." 

The  great  Yen  Sung  looked  around;  not  a 
friendly  face ;  his  own  grew  a  little  fearful,  and 
yet  in  a  loud  voice  he  called  out : 

"  What  does  this  mean  ?  "  and  turning  to  the 
officials  he  had  created  he  said,  "  You  stand 
there  and  see  me  reviled ;  you  make  no  motion 
to  help  me;  life  and  death  are  in  my  hands  and 
you  will  suffer."  With  that  he  attempted  to 
get  into  his  chair,  when  Ting  Lang  and  all  his 
student  friends  set  upon  him.  They  tore  off  his 
audience  cap,  his  royal  robes,  beat  him,  reviled 
him,  and  were  in  the  midst  of  a  free  fight  with 
him  and  his  chair-bearers,  when  Hai  Jui  came 
from  the  audience  hall.  In  a  few  words  quiet 
was  restored,  and  the  great  Yen  Sung,  torn 
and  tattered,  beaten,  and  raging  like  a  lion, 
rushed  into  the  audience  hall  and,  bending  be- 
fore the  Emperor,  cried  out  for  revenge.  The 
[161] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

Emperor  had  heard  the  commotion  outside  and 
had  asked  who  and  what  it  was.  They  had  told 
him  that  the  three  hundred  and  sixty  literary 
men  who  had  been  at  the  feast  had  set  upon  and 
were  beating  Yen  Ke  Lao.  When  the  Em- 
peror heard  this  he  said: 

"  For  literary  men,  men  of  high  degree,  to 
do  such  a  thing  means,  can  but  mean,  that  they 
have  a  good  clear  reason,  otherwise  they  would 
not  act  like  beasts,"  so  he  waited,  and  was  wait- 
ing when  Yen  Sung  rushed  in. 

"  Great  Emperor,"  said  he,  "  I  have  been 
beaten  by  the  students,  and  without  cause. 
There  is  going  to  be  a  rebellion,  have  a  care, 
your  Majesty."  When  he  was  through  the  Em- 
peror said: 

"  How  could  so  many  people  attack  one  man 
unless  there  was  a  good  reason?  We  will  ex- 
amine into  this  thing.  Call  the  new  '  Chaun 
Yuan/  I  will  ask  him."  Ting  Lang  came  and 
knocked  his  head  and  said : 

"  My  lord,  live  ten  thousand  years ;  I  have 
sinned,  I  have  beaten  a  '  Ke  Lao.'  I  ought  to 
die."  The  Emperor  said: 

"  You  are  a  new  and  very  young  Chaung 
Yuan.  How  can  you  have  a  death  sin  ? " 
Then,  turning  to  another  official  he  said,  "  Call 
Hai  Jui,  I  will  have  his  witness."  Hai  Jui  knelt 
and  said : 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


"  I  dare  not  look  on  thy  face,  great  Lord ; 
for  a  Chaung  Yuan  to  beat  a  Ke  Lao,  there 
must  always  be  a  reason."  The  Emperor  re- 
plied : 

"  That  is  right  and  fair;  to  attack  just  out- 
side of  my  door,  there  must  be  a  clear  reason 
and  a  great  one,"  then  he  turned  and  com- 
manded Ting  Lang  to  tell  at  once.  Ting  Lang 
said  : 

"  Most  mighty  one,  one  word  would  not  ex- 
plain ;  I  have  it  all  in  a  document  which  I  have 
here  and  would  beg  your  Majesty  to  read.  It 
will  explain  all."  He  held  out  his  document 
and,  at  a  bow  from  the  Emperor,  a  eunuch 
came  forward,  took  it,  and  placed  it  on  the  table 
by  the  Emperor's  side.  The  latter  took  it  up 
and  read  it :  the  sad  story  of  the  three  genera- 
tions. He  read  as  in  a  dream  the  entire  paper; 
he  saw,  as  one  thing  after  another  came  before 
his  mind,  how  for  years  he  had  been  a  tool  of 
his  minister,  Yen  Sung.  Saw  how  he  had 
kept  back  and  brought  to  death  many  a  good, 
worthy  official.  At  last,  lifting  his  head,  he 
looked  at  the  trembling  Yen  Sung  and  said : 

"  Ai,  ya !  This  is  true,  all  of  it.  I  know  it ; 
you  are  the  greatest  traitor  under  the  heavens. 
I  give  to  Hai  Jui  power  to  strip  you  of  all  rank, 
and  hand  you  over  to  the  Board  of  Punish- 
ments. You  shall  be  tried  and  punished  for 

[163] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

your  evil  deeds."  Then,  turning  to  Hai  Jui,  he 
commanded  him  to  call  soldiers,  to  then  and 
there  take  him  to  prison ;  to  see  that  a  day  was 
appointed  for  trial.  Then  he  commanded  that 
a  palace  be  found  and  put  in  order  for  the  new 
Chaung  Yuan  and  his  brother;  that  in  the  third 
day  all  officials  were  to  call  on  him  and  make 
his  acquaintance. 

With  great  luxury  was  the  palace  prepared, 
for  all  rejoiced  at  the  downfall  of  the  great 
Yen  Sung,  and  all  desired  to  do  homage  to  the 
great  son  of  the  old  official  house  of  Tu. 

During  these  days  in  the  city,  Ting  Lang  had 
not  dared  to  seek  out  his  mother,  as  he  wanted 
first  to  expose  their  enemy ;  he  came  to  the  city 
under  the  name  of  Hu,  and  while  Lady  Yii 
had  heard  of  the  very  wonderful  young  man, 
she  did  not  dare  to  even  hope  that  it  might  be 
her  son;  she  asked  no  questions  and  no  one 
mentioned  the  downfall  of  Yen  Sung.  The 
next  day  a  steward  came  and  told  her  he  sus- 
pected the  young  man  was  her  son;  but  she 
said: 

"  No,  that  cannot  be ;  no  such  glory  awaits 
our  house.  I  have  heard  a  little  of  the  two 
brothers,  but  you  have  made  a  mistake."  The 
day  after  the  downfall  she  was  busy  at  home 
when  a  neighbour  came  in  and  said: 

"  Some  great  men  have  just  entered  our 
[164] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


street  and  are  coming  this  way."    Just  then  a 
servant  rushed  in  and  said : 

"  They  have  come  to  get  the  Great  Lady." 

The  neighbours  laughed  and  said,  "  What 
great  lady?  There  is  no  great  lady  in  this 
street." 

But  the  horsemen  drew  near  the  gate  and 
awaited  the  chairs.  The  servant  came  and  said : 

"  The  great  man,  the  new  Chaung  Yuan,  has 
come  for  his  honoured  mother,  the  Lady  Yti." 
Then  came  the  other  servants  one  after  an- 
other. Yu  Yuen  Ying  put  up  her  hand  and 
protested : 

"  I  am  but  a  poor  lone  woman,  living  my  life 
quietly.  You  have  made  a  mistake,  there  is  no 
great  Lady  Yii  here."  Then  in  came  Ting 
Lang,  followed  by  his  brother.  In  beautiful 
robes  and  special  official  cap,  that  told  of  his 
high  rank,  with  all  the  glory  of  his  position,  she 
knew  him;  knew  her  boy  who  left  her  a  little 
lad,  returning  to  her  with  glory  honestly  won. 
As  the  sages  truly  say,  "  The  son,  though  he 
goes  thousands  of  miles  from  home,  never 
leaves  his  mother's  heart ;  the  son,  though  sepa- 
rated from  his  mother  years,  never  forgets  her, 
but  carries  her  in  his  heart."  He  now  sprang 
forward  and  knelt  before  her,  saying : 

"  Honoured  mother,  don't  come  a  step,  I  am 
unworthy."    To  test  his  heart  she  said: 
[165] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

"  And  who  are  you  that  call  me  mother?  " 

"  Only  your  own  small  son,  Ting  Lang,  my 
mother." 

Kan  Lang  came  and  knelt  beside  him  and 
said,  "  Great  mother,  I  do  you  reverence.  I 
also  am  your  son."  Yii  Yiich  Ying  came  to  put 
both  hands  on  her  son's  shoulders  and  said : 

"  Ah,  son !  son !  I  have  longed  for  you  to 
the  death;  did  you  not  think,  while  you  were 
away,  of  my  sadness  and  loneliness  ?  "  Thus 
she  put  out  her  hand  and  took  the  hand  of  the 
younger  boy,  and  together  they  wept. 

"  My  mother,  if  you  weep  to  your  illness,  of 
what  joy  is  my  promotion?  Word  has  already 
gone  to  the  southern  home,  and  they  will  come 
to  us.  Our  sorrows,  yours  are  over;  I  shall 
never  leave  you  or  you  me.  The  bitterness  is 
over  and  the  sweet  has  come,  be  comforted  and 
we  will  all  rejoice  together."  Yii  Yiich  Ying 
lifted  her  hands  and  said : 

"  I  thank  Heaven  and  the  gods  that  the 
mother  and  son  are  united  again.  I  thank 
Heaven  that  I  also  have  a  younger  son.  I 
thank  Heaven  and  Earth  for  giving  such  an 
honour  to  poor  sightless  me." 

The  sons  lifted  her  from  her  knees,  called 

the  servants  who  took  her  to  her  room,  and 

after  arranging  her  still  beautiful  black  hair, 

they  robed  her  in  garments  of  honour  brought 

[166] 


A  Story  of  Old  China 


by  her  son.  When  all  was  ready  the  sons  came 
and,  bending  the  knee,  said : 

"  We  invite  our  mother  to  take  her  chair, 
leaving  this  little  court  and  room,  and  go  with 
us  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  and  blessings 
granted  by  Heaven  to  the  restored  House  of 
Tu."  The  mother  said: 

"  My  sons,  these  poor  neighbours  have  been 
kind  to  me  always.  Thank  them  for  me."  This 
the  sons  did  in  a  most  respectful  manner  and 
promised  to  reward  them.  She  herself  then 
thanked  them,  and  they  escorted  her  to  her 
chair,  and  to  the  palace  where  she  was  given 
great  honour. 

Later  in  the  day,  father,  mother,  and  grand- 
parents of  Kan  Lang  came,  and  thus,  after 
eighteen  weary  years,  the  family  was  reunited, 
and  joy  came  in  every  form  to  them  for  many 
long  years.  Yii  Yiich  Ying  lived  to  see  and 
hold  her  great  grandchildren,  and  to  see  great 
glory  come  to  their  house.  Their  great  enemy 
was  tried  and  punished  by  loss  of  all  rank  and 
estate ;  his  last  days  spent  in  poverty  and  seclu- 
sion. Tradition  says  he  was  given  a  silver  bowl 
and  made  to  beg  from  door  to  door  for  the  rest 
of  his  life,  and  a  small  street  called  "  Silver 
Street  "  is  said  to  have  been  named  for  his  bowl 
and  the  fact  that  there  he  died  on  the  street 
a  beggar.  History  only  records  the  loss  of 
[167] 


Gleanings  From  Chinese  Folklore 

rank  and  estate.  His  steward,  Nien  Chi,  was 
tried  at  the  same  time,  and  was  sentenced  to  be 
burned  alive  in  the  street, — "  A  fine  lamp  for 
one  dark  night."  Thus  was  meted  out  punish- 
ment to  the  enemies  of  the  House  of  Tu. 


[168] 


NOTES 

1.  The  song  of  "  Ting  Lang  Seeking  his  Father "  is 
never  sung  by  the  "  foundation  beaters  "  of  China  ex- 
cept they  are  given  a  special  gift  of  money  or  a  meal 
of  white  bread.     There  is  no  other  song  among  the 
many  they  sing  that  produces  the  effect  that  this  one 
does;   man  by  man  they  seem  to  live  over  the   little 
lad's  life.    A  leader  sings  the  main  part,  they  coming  in 
in  special  parts  as  it  is  arranged.     When  one  of  the 
British  Legation  buildings  in  Peking  was  being  built, 
they  paid  five  dollars  to  have  the  song  sung,  and  it  is 
always  the  special  for  all  large  Chinese  buildings. 

2.  The  place  where  the  wicked  Nien  Chi  lived  is  the 
site  of  the  American  Board  Mission  in  Peking  and  was 
bought  by  them  over  forty  years  ago.     It  adjoins  the 
grounds  of  the  great  and  more  wicked  Yen  Sung.    This 
is  now  the  home  of  a  Mongol  Prince.    The  palace  has 
had  for  hundreds  of  years  an  unsavoury  reputation.    It 
was   the   underlings,   servants,   and   Boxers,  supported 
by  the  present  owner,  who  was  also  a  Boxer  leader, 
who  destroyed  the  Congregational  Mission  in  1900.     It 
was  the  place  where  the  Mission  made  its  headquarters 
until  the  rebuilding  of  the  Board  property.    It  was  here 
many   Christians  were  taken,  tried,   and   sentenced  to 
death.     So  the  present  record  is  similar  to  that  of  the 
days  of  Yen  Sung. 


PRINTED  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


[169] 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A     000769304     7 


